Mrs. Tannie Lay
Mrs. Nora Francis Lay, known to family and friends as "Tannie", age 91, of De Queen, Arkansas, passed peacefully from this life on Friday, April 21, 2023, in Texarkana, Texas.

Tannie was born the oldest of three children to Leacil Edward and Alpha Mabel Shirron St. John on November 27, 1931, in Crossett Camp, Arkansas. She was a 1949 graduate of Hot Springs High School and went on to obtain an associate's degree in banking and accounting. Tannie married Otis Lay on November 3, 2014, and together they have shared a number of loving years. Tannie worked her career with Weyerhaeuser Company as an Administrative Assistant for the Vice President of the Southern Woodlands Division, retiring after thirty-six years of service. She was a faithful member of Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in De Queen, and over the years, been a member of a number of different club and organizations. Tannie enjoyed bowling, reading, drawing, crocheting, and baking. She best spent her time with Otis, her sons, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and father of her sons, Edward "Billy" Deen; one son, Mark Edward Deen; one grandson, Scott David Deen; a stepson, Dennis Lay, and two brothers, Marlin St. John, and Kenneth St. John.

Tannie leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Otis Lay of De Queen; two sons, David Deen of Morrilton, Arkansas, and Neil Deen and his wife Beth of De Queen; six grandchildren and their spouses, April (Adam) Talbott, Kyle Deen, Ryan (Julie) Deen, Darby (Brady) Newbolt, David (Jennifer) Wright, and Kasie Wright; ten great-grandchildren, Aiden, Alex, Aaron, Rylie, Khalil, Kai, Nora, Annika, Cali, and Kyleigh; a stepdaughter, Cheryl Lay of Salem, Oregon; one sister-in-law, Joyce St. John of Hot Springs; one brother-in-law, Wayne Deen of Maryland; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Tannie Lay will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in De Queen with Bro. Jason Carlton and Drew Cox officiating. Interment will follow at Greens Chapel Cemetery, under the direction of Chandler Funeral Home in De Queen. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, at the funeral home. You may leave a condolence online at www.chandlerfuneral.com.