Eula Ellen Lay, age 99 of the Rockhouse Community passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at her home with family and friends by her side.  She was a member of the Five Black Gums Baptist Church. 

She was born on September 21, 1918 to the late George Flemon Lay and Bertie Silcox Lay.  She was also preceded in death by (7) brothers:  J.P., J.W., Larry, Earl, James, Eugene, and Lloyd George “Bucky” Lay.  (2) Sisters:  Geneva Navaro and Nancy Collins.

Ms. Lay, after being diagnosed legally blind, graduated from Norma High School.  She then attended the Draughon’s Business College in Nashville, TN.  Upon graduation, at the end of WWII, she decided to go to Mobile, Alabama to work as a “Rosie the Riveter” making airplane parts. When she returned to Tennessee, she earned a teaching certificate from the George Peabody School.  She then taught school in Scott County and went on to earn a teaching degree from the Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville.  Over her career she taught at one room schools in the Rockhouse, Smokey Junction, and Bull Creek communities.  She also taught for 17 years at Joyner Elementary School in Morgan County.  She then returned to Scott County finishing up her 30 year teaching career at the Capital Hill Elementary School.  She loved to teach and she loved children.

She was also a caregiver.  She cared for her father, mother, brothers, sisters, and other family members when needed.  Anything she did for others was from her heart.  She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by (4) sisters:  Luretta Comer, Dorothy Tighe, Phyllis Muse, and Sarah McGinnis and husband Gerald.  (2) brothers:  Hoyle Lay, Amon Lay and wife Bertha Lou.  Special friends:  Billy and Anna Mae Marlow of Morgan County.  She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, other family, friends, and former students who all loved her dearly.

Friends may visit with the Lay family on Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6 p.m. until time of the funeral service at 8 p.m. in the chapel of West-Murley Funeral Home with Bro. Ben Lay and Bro. Greg McGinnis officiating.

Graveside service will be conducted on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Lay-Silcox Cemetery in the Rockhouse community of Scott County. 

Serving as pallbearers: Phillip Lay, Jacob Lay, Josh Lay, Tim McGinnis, Eugene Lay, and Gabriel Terry.  Honorary pallbearer will be Charles "Chuckie" Lay.

West-Murley Funeral Home is serving the family of Eula Ellen Lay. 

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