Emma W. (Pettit) Layton mercifully passed away on February 13, 2014 after suffering a severe stroke on February 4, 2014; she was 90 years old. Emma had been a resident of Heartland of Martinsburg Nursing Home for two and a half years where she received loving and compassionate care from the nurses, aides, and staff. She was born on February 2, 1924 in Neptune, NJ.

Emma is survived by two sons, Gustave J. Pettit of Martinsburg, WV and Alfred Pell Pettit III and his wife Cathy Marcham Pettit of Mesa, Arizona. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Alfred John Pettit of Queensbury, NY, Christopher Mark Pettit of Gilbert, AZ, Tracey Lynn Pettit-White of Lake Como, NJ, and their mother, former daughter-in-law, Linda Havens of Neptune, NJ. Also surviving are ten great-grandchildren, one nephew, and two nieces.

Emma is also survived by her best friend Mrs. Margaret (Margie) Franklin of Perry, GA. Emma and Margie met when they both enlisted in the Women's Army Corps in 1944. They spent their entire military careers together thus forging a life-long friendship that has spanned seventy years.

Emma was preceded in death by her first husband, Alfred Pell Pettit, Jr. of Neptune, NJ; her second husband, William T. Layton of Breezewood, PA; her brother, Charles Ernest Wood, of Neptune, NJ; and her sister, Ida Joan Seems of Farmingdale, NJ.

Prior to her retirement, Emma worked in the garment industry in New York City, New Jersey, and West Virginia for over thirty years. She was a lifetime member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. Emma studied Theology at Liberty University, and she was a licensed and ordained minister. For years, Emma volunteered with the Chaplain Services and in the hobby shop at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Martinsburg.

Emma enlisted in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) on May 17, 1944. After completing her Basic Training at Langley Field, Virginia, she was stationed at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where she completed her training as a Telephone Switchboard Operator 650 at Company 7, 22nd Regiment, Third W.A.C. Training Center. From Fort Oglethorpe, Mrs. Layton was transferred to the European Theater at Frankfort, Germany, where she was stationed at Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) as a supervisor of communications.

During her military career, Emma was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Women's Army Corps Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, The European, African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victor Medial, and the American Theater Ribbon.

As per Emma's wishes, a private military graveside service was held prior to interment at Bedford County Memorial Park, Bedford, PA.

Arrangements by Brown Funeral Home.

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