Janice Leigh Layton Hale, of Henrico, passed away peacefully, family with her, at home on Saturday, March 8, 2025, following complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Jan was born on September 3, 1948, in Newport News, Virginia, to Horace Wilbur Layton and Iris Elizabeth Folkes Layton. She graduated from Ferguson High School in 1966 and attended Ferrum and Christopher Newport Colleges. Jan devoted much of her life to being a mother and creating a warm and welcoming home for her family. A talented cook and baker, she was known for her award-winning baked goods. She was also a skilled needlework artist.

Jan had a strong intellect and a deep appreciation for history, and she passed that love of learning on to her children. Her bedtime stories, drawn from historical events, were an important part of their upbringing. She loved music and sang in church, school, and community choirs for many years. Her solos from Handel’s Messiah at several Christmas Eve services are a treasured family memory.

Jan is survived by her children, Andrea Hale (Maureen Hershman) of Henrico, Jennifer Rogers (Gary) of Biloxi, Miss., and William Hale II (Miranda) of Ashland, Ky.; sisters, Linda Kelly (Bob) of Hampton and Rosalynd Woodfin (Randy) of Yorktown; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two aunts; several beloved cousins, and her former husband, Bill Hale of Gloucester.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to family friend Angela Abbassi for her kind and compassionate care during Jan’s final months.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 14, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, Va. 23601. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 3 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church Chapel, 1209 Country Club Road, Newport News, with the Rev. Hank Teague officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Peninsula SPCA, 523 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, Va. 23601.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.