Bessie Bonnie Lay

Lay, Bessie Bonnie (Simmons), age 100, went to be with the Lord September 5, 2018. Bessie was born and raised in Corryton, Tennessee. She was a proud graduate of Gibbs High School and a retired long-time employee of Miller’s Department Store. She was a sincere and committed follower of Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of Wallace Memorial Baptist Church. During her long life, she served the Lord as a Deacon’s wife, choir member, Sunday school teacher, and was a precious friend to many. She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Oscar L. Lay Jr.; her parents John Henry and Lillie Belle Simmons; one brother, Gilbert Simmons; and seven sisters, their names are Minnie Beeler, Laila Goforth, Eula Turner Cox, Grace Hankins, Maude Zachary, Ruth Skeen, and Faye Garrett. She is the mother of two children, son Dr. David (Yvonne) Lay and daughter Nancy (Dale) McBee of Knoxville. Her grandchildren are Ryan (Whitney) Neil of Atlanta and Grant Neil of Knoxville, Jenny (Bill) Giannaris of Las Vegas, Bonnie (Adam) Taub of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, Heather (Shawn) Kooch and Chad Brown of Knoxville, and Tony (Ashley) McBee of Kingsport. There are eight great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Bessie’s life will be held on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 7:00p.m. at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. prior to the service. Family and friends will meet at 12:45p.m. Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Greenwood Cemetery for an interment at 1:00p.m. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Windsor Gardens Assisted Living and Amedisys Hospice for their loving care to our mother and the entire family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Knox Area Rescue Ministries or Gideon’s International. Online condolences may be left at www.mynattfh.com.