Obituary of Levernis Coleman Layne

Lee was born October 6, 1956 in Belzoni, MS to Helen Griffin and Gene Pearson. She came into the world surrounded by family, church family, and the entire community. Her family moved from Mississippi to Phoenix, AZ at the age of 3. At an early age Lee gave her life to Christ and continued loving the Lord throughout her life. She loved to learn and she loved to read. She would check out 10 books once a week from the library and make sure to return them on time so she could check out 10 more. She won the 8th grade spelling bee, enrolled in the University of Arizona at 16,transferred to the University of Oregon where she earned her Bachelors then her Law degree. She loved poetry and Maya Angelou was one of her favorites. She loved sports especially the Oregon Ducks, the performing arts, and was a social butterfly. Her professional career included: Affirmative Action Program Director with the Oregon State Bar Association, Regulatory Director at the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Chair of the Oregon Parole Board, Regional Manager for Department of Human Services in Multnomah County, she owned a mediation and consulting practice, spent almost 16 years as a Department of Human Services District Manager for Tillamook, Clatsop and Columbia County, and retired as a Manager for Oregon Licensing and Regulatory Oversight. She was an Usher at Portland Covenant Church(formerly Irvington Covenant Church), she volunteered with the Oregon Black Lawyers Association, was a Board Member for the Morrison Center for Children, was a member of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Committee, and was elected to the school board of Beaverton School District. In her retirement she loved serving as a mentor to young people and being a faithful hard working leader at her church. She was a beloved wife, mother and friend and will be missed dearly. She is survived by her husband Linton Layne, daughter Dawn-Janel Coleman, son Donovan Coleman, mother Helen Aughtry, father Gene Pearson, sisters Elaine Mitchell, Bobbi Brown and Katina Campbell, and brother Dwight Aughtry. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your own favorite charity in her name.