Virginia Lea Layton passed away in Humble, Texas, on August 2, 2019 following a short illness. Virginia was born September 25, 1938 in Houston, Texas at St. Joseph Hospital and lived all of her adult life in Houston. She was a graduate of Charles Bender High School in Humble, Texas and received a Bachelor of Education from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Education from Sam Houston State University. Virginia taught at Fonville Jr. High School in the Houston ISD for 38 years. She was also a counselor and assistant principal before her retirement 1998. The same year that Virginia began teaching she also began working for the Houston Sports Authority. She began her career working with the Colt 45’s professional baseball team in 1962 and with the completion of the Astrodome in 1965 made the move to that venue. Virginia worked her way from usher to a supervisory position which she held for many years at the Astrodome until it’s closing in 2001. While at the Astrodome she had the pleasure of witnessing some great events such as the beginning stages of the Houston Oilers and the Houston Astros. She also worked Houston Livestock and Rodeo performances every year when they moved to the Astrodome and was privileged to witness great entertainers of that era such as George Jones and Elvis Presley. She also witnessed the historic Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs tennis match. In August, 2002 with the formation of the Houston Texans, Virginia opened Reliant/NRG Stadium and continued to work there until her retirement in March of 2018. Virginia delighted in working football games. She always enjoyed when her University of Texas Longhorns came to the stadium to play. During her career at the park, Virginia worked three Super Bowls: the 1974 Super Bowl at Rice Stadium, Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004, and Super Bowl LI (51) in 2017. She also worked many NCAA men’s basketball tournaments and worked the Final 4 in 2016. Additionally, she worked many years at the Nutcracker Market in the NRG Center. Virginia retired from the stadium in March 2018. In her 57 year career, Virginia worked at three stadiums: Colt 45’s, Astrodome and Reliant/NRG as well as various venues around the park. Besides seeing thousands of sport games from high school football to professional football and baseball games she also worked countless rodeo performances, boat shows, circus and area high school and college graduations. In her role as supervisor she also had the duty of interviewing, making recommendations for hire and training new employees. Virginia took her responsibility seriously and enjoyed it immensely. Virginia also holds the distinction of living in the same apartment for 52 years and 2 months!


Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Monroe Layton, Jr. and Dorothy Rathers Layton Vercher, grandparents Robert Monroe Layton Sr. and Lillian Brown Layton. She is survived by her beloved aunt, Mary Lea Layton-Taylor of Humble and a host of friends. Visitation will be held at Rosewood Funeral Home in Humble at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2019 with a graveside service to follow at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to your favorite charity or place of worship in Virginia’s memory.