Roydice Layfield
Roydice Everett Layfield, 85, of Cairo, WV, died surrounded by loved ones October 21, 2025, at The Arbor’s in Marietta, OH. Known to family and friends as “Beard”, his kind, gentle presence with that sly grin and gift for connection turned strangers into friends and neighbors into family.
Born May 19, 1940, in Parkersburg to the late Jesse Everett and Mildred Lila (Kerns) Layfield, Roydice spent his life rooted in Cairo and Petroleum. He was a man of simple virtues- hard work, dependability, respect, kindness, and patience- with just enough of his childhood orneriness to keep life interesting. He lived those values daily: behind the wheel, working in his garage, on the sidelines, and anywhere help was needed. He was the man who never met a stranger, the loyal fan at nearly every Ritchie County athletic event, the careful driver who taught his grandchildren to “always look ahead at where you’re going, not where you are,” and the community grandfather who always had candy in his pockets with a friendly nudge to “wet your whistle”.
Work, for Roydice, was another way to love his community. He retired five times, because he loved people and didn’t want to stop serving them. He spent 34 years at DuPont Washington Works before working at North Bend State Park, North Bend Golf Course, Ritchie County Schools as a bus driver for 11 years, and Park Tours for 10 years. He also served 17 years as Mayor of Cairo, tending to the everyday needs of a small town with the same care he gave his own yard- which featured the best Christmas lights in Cairo. A member of the Cisco Community Church, he lived his faith quietly through service: country drives to check on folks, live music and square dances, a bargain discovered at an auction, and a thousand practical kindnesses- oil changes, rides given, stories or jokes told, passes thrown, broken items mended – that’s who he was, because that’s what he did for the people he loved.
If his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were playing a game or involved in an event- he was there. Every time. Faithfully supporting them because showing up was his love language. He leaves behind a community strengthened by his calm presence, his steady hands on the wheel, and his unhurried way of making each person feel seen. We will be forever grateful for a life well lived in service, love, and joy.
Roydice is survived by his son, Ernie Layfield of Marietta; daughter-in-law, Becky Layfield (Rodney) of Little Hocking; sisters, Lucille Williams (Jed) and Carolyn Boston, both of Harrisville; grandchildren, Cassidi Shoaf (Justin) of Cairo and Carter Layfield (Aurora) of Asheville, NC; mother of his grandchildren, Melissa Hoff Nichols (Terry) of Cairo; and great-grandchildren, Aviella, Judah, Hadassah, and Ellia Shoaf, and Lucas “Sunny” Layfield.
His extended family includes Laveda Marshall (Doc) of Petroleum; Bess Cornell of Cairo; Tom Morrison (Jo) of Lowell; and Rose Lee (Jim) of Petroleum. Along with many, many special nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Shirley (Morrison) Layfield; son, Rodney Layfield; brother, Curtis “Luke” Layfield (Betty); brother-in-law, John Boston; and sister-in-law Nina Hartness (Jerry).
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, October 24, 2025, at Raiguel Funeral Home, Harrisville, with Jeff Layfield and Clyde Border officiating. Burial will follow in the Cairo IOOF Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home Thursday from 4-8 PM. Please wear Ritchie County or WVU attire.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ritchie County Athletic Boosters in honor of their #1 fan. Go Rebels! RCHS Athletic Department, RCHS, 201 Ritchie County School Road, Site 1, Ellenboro, WV, 26346.
The family would like to express their appreciation to all of the extraordinarily compassionate healthcare employees who cared for him, especially Dr. Jennifer Leavitt and staff.