Barbourville, Ky. - Dora West Laywell, 86, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Barbourville, Kentucky, passed away surrounded by her loving family, on September 3, 2026.

Dora was born April 3, 1940, in Swan Pond, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Archie B. West and Geneva Litteral West. Around the age of five, Dora moved with her family to Barbourville, where she was raised and where she developed lifelong ties to the community.

Dora attended Barbourville High School. She was a much loved and involved member of the BHS community. Dora was a cheerleader alongside her best friend, Marcia Mackey Crouch. An excellent student, Dora graduated one year early, with the Class of 1957, although many of her friends were members of the Class of 1958, which would have been her graduating class.

She attended Union College before continuing her education at The Ohio State University. Dora was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Dora earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1962 and later returned to Ohio State, earning a Master of Arts degree in 1973.

Dora devoted much of her professional life to education and helping others. She taught elementary school at Alum Crest Elementary in Columbus and later worked for the Ohio Department of Children Services in the State Office Tower. In 1988, she became a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Ohio.

Dora married Kevin T. Gorey on November 19, 1960, and to this union three children were born: Kelly, Caroline and Thomas. She later married H. Robert "Bob" Laywell on December 6, 1986.

Her Christian faith was an important part of Dora's life. As a young child, her parents took her to Swan Pond Baptist Church. After moving to Barbourville, she became a member of First Baptist Church of Barbourville. Following her move to Ohio in 1958, she became a member of First Alliance Church. Dora loved the teachings of Christ and regularly studied the Bible with her husband, Bob.

A lifelong learner, Dora possessed remarkable intellect and curiosity. Her family affectionately remembers her as a "walking dictionary" and mathematician who could spell nearly anything on demand and solve any equation with ease. She loved reading and enjoyed all types of music, especially singing along while Bob played the guitar.

Dora also had an adventurous and active spirit. She was an avid swimmer and tennis player and enjoyed golf, water skiing, canoeing and horseback riding. She was an excellent shot with a rifle and a qualified archer. Dora also enjoyed attending tailgate parties and Ohio State Buckeye football games.

Above all, Dora was a loving, kind and generous mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family will especially remember her laughter, her warmth and her enthusiasm for birthdays, holidays and family traditions.

She taught her children how to swim and play tennis, but the lessons she gave them extended far beyond sports. Dora taught them the importance of proper manners, grace, education, family tradition and having purpose in what they did.

Kelly will especially remember her mother's bedtime stories, her sense of adventure and her unconditional love. Dora taught Kelly the importance of academic excellence, honoring family traditions and developing a lifelong love of reading.

Caroline will remember her mother's sweet Southern accent, her open-armed support and the thought and care she placed into selecting meaningful gifts and wrapping them with artistic skill. Dora taught Caroline that love is forever, that love is deep and forgiving, that family is everything, and that one should take pride in who they are and where they come from.

Among Caroline's treasured memories are trips to the Bexley pool in Dora's aqua Volkswagen Beetle; Christmases and birthdays made special with cakes and cupcakes from a local bakery; water skiing at Marcia and Cecil's place in La Grange, Kentucky; horseback riding at Blacklick Stables; and seeing her mother dressed in the fashionable outfits she enjoyed from The Limited.

Tom remembers her running out of the State Office Tower on St. Patrick's Days to snap pictures of him and his father on the Blarney Stone Float on the corner of Broad and High Streets in downtown Columbus on cold and blustery March 17th mornings with the enthusiasm of the paparazzi.  He loved visiting her in her office at the State Office Tower on the 29th floor where to him all the people down below on the streets looked like tiny toys.  Lunch's in the concourse of the Tower were cool but lunch's in the basement of Lazarus at Charlie's were even cooler.  He will miss her sweet smile and her loving touch and truly believes that God speaks to us through a mother's love.  But the thing, that Tom will miss most about his mother, is her just being there for him whenever he needed love and support.

In addition to her parents, Dora was preceded in death by her husband, H. Robert "Bob" Laywell; and her brother, Archie B. West of Tampa, Florida.

Dora is survived by her three children, Kelly (Tim) Friar, Caroline (Mauricio) Gorey-Yepez and Thomas Archie Gorey; by three grandchildren: Kayla, Mariah and Leah; and by one great-grandchild, Braylen.

Dora was loved by many and loved many in return. Her family will deeply miss her loving and generous nature, her laughter, her intelligence and her devotion to those she loved. Her spirit and the lessons she shared will continue to live on through her family and all whose lives she touched.

The West Gorey Laywell family will receive family and friends at Hopper Funeral Home, Sunday, September 6, 2026, from 1:00 PM until the funeral hour of 3:00 PM. Pastor Shane Bingham will officiate with musical tributes performed by The Smith Family. Interment will follow in the Barbourville Cemetery. The family has chosen as casket bearers Trevonn Brown, Timothy Friar, Tom Gorey, Braylen Nettles and Matthew West.

The Hopper Family, Victoria and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home: Mrs. Lorena Blankenship, Mrs. Brenda Johnson, Ms. Quinlyn Chrisco, Mr. Robin Reese, Mr. Reid Brewer, Mr. Darren West and Mr. Steven Walker express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dora West Laywel l. Victoria and Sally express heartfelt love to their dear cousins, Dora's children, Kelly, Caroline, and Tom.

Hopper Funeral Home, Inc., established over 100 years ago, is in charge of all arrangements and services in Kentucky for Dora West Laywell.