Patti Jane Lay

Patti Jane Lay, age 69, of Knoxville, TN, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, at her home. Patti Jane was born on March 1, 1955, in Knoxville to Frank Edwin Lay and Agnes Hufstedler Lay. She was raised in the Deane Hill neighborhood and graduated as salutatorian of the Webb High School Class of 1973. After high school, Patti Jane moved to Atlanta and graduated from Emory University with highest honors. During her time at Emory, she was very proud of her presidency and involvement with the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Delta Alpha chapter. Patti Jane moved back to Knoxville and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1979. During law school, some of Patti Jane’s achievements included the Mock Trial team, Law Review Association and Order of the Coif. Patti Jane later served on the Alumni Council and Dean’s Circle for the University of Tennessee College of Law. Patti Jane was a Vol for life and never missed a chance to cheer on the Volunteers. She was always involved in her children’s lives and became a second mom to many. She loved to travel, play tennis and pickleball, and spend time at her family’s mountain house in the Norton Creek community of Gatlinburg. She deeply cherished her community, friends, and family, but her greatest joy was recently becoming a grandmother to Ruthanne. Her acts of kindness, infectious smile, and Sunday family dinners will be greatly missed. Patti Jane is predeceased by her parents, Frank Edwin Lay and Agnes Lay, and nephew, Robert Chandler Lay, all of Knoxville. She is survived by her husband, John Thomas Baugh, her children, John Edwin Baugh, Sarah Lauren Baugh Coughlin (Dennis), and Thomas Chandler Baugh, granddaughter, Ruthanne Louise Coughlin, brother, Frank Edwin Lay, Jr., and niece, Martha Jane Lay, all of Knoxville. She is also survived by many more beloved cousins and friends. She will be also missed by her red English Labrador Retriever, Dusti Rose Baugh. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 2, from 4:00 until 6:00 pm at Rose Funeral and Cremation-Mann, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 with a memorial service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a donation to the Cancer Research Institute at www.cancerresearch.org/ways-to-give Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Patti Jane Lay

March 1, 1955 - December 26, 2024