Kathy Jane Parker Lay

Kathy Jane Parker (Lay) passed away on Friday, April 21^st, 2023, of natural causes, at her home in Benton, TN.  We are very sad to announce this, and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. 

Kathy was born on December 1, 1955, to Bertha Jane and William James Parker, in Knoxville, TN where they were living at the time. Kathy lived most of her adult life in Tennessee and nearby Georgia, and faced some difficult times over the years, including the death of her daughter, Paula Lay, in 2013, and serious health problems herself, which eventually caused her passing.  She spent many years working in carpet mills near Dalton, GA, but eventually moved back to the Benton, TN area.  She loved her children, Daphne Evans and Paula Lay, and her grandchildren, October Jane Evans, Damien Lay, Cebrianna Lay, and Kayla Godfrey.  She was a treasured friend and aunt to Chris Parker, her nephew, and loved their many phone conversations.  Kathy is also missed by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Benny and Ella Parker of Benton, and Danny and Marie Parker of Delano. Kathy loved animals, and at all times had a dog by her side, and for the last 16 years, was rarely without her beloved Chihuahua, Scooter. 

Kathy was notable for living her life pretty much as she pleased, without caring too much what other people thought, but she was kindhearted and generous, and would gladly give you her last penny if she thought you needed it. She was young at heart, and looked for the best in people, no matter their faults. She was rebellious and outspoken, but forgiving, and appreciated the simple things in life more than anything else; her family, her friends, her animals, good food, good music, peace and love.  Her favorite meal was kraut and weenies, macaroni and cheese, beans and cornbread. She was always genuine and ready to offer a kind word to others, without expecting anything in return. She would want all of us to pay that forward.

Kathy will be cremated, as she wished, and we will have a private, family gathering to honor her.  If you knew Kathy, please take a minute to recall your best memories of her, and know that she loved you, and would want you to remember good times. We will always love and miss her.