Edward Lay

Edward Franklin Lay, beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. He was 88 years old.

Ed was born on January 29, 1936 in Dayton, Tennessee but later moved to Cleveland where he attended Arnold Memorial School and was a graduate of The McCallie School in 1954. He continued his education at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and graduated in 1958.

Ed was an entrepreneur who was involved in several business ventures over the years. He served as the President of Lay and Company, Inc. as well as Bradley Oil Company, Inc., and was a partner in WNC Petroleum, Inc., Lay Development, LLC. and Lay Construction, Inc.

Ed was a strong man of faith and a member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland and a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland where he served as an elder and deacon.

As a longtime Rotarian he believed in Service Above Self and was active in the community as a member of The Rotary Club, Sons of the American Revolution, Jaycees and Optimist Club. Ed was also on The Cleveland Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for over 50 years and served as chairman for most of those years. Ed was recognized with the Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities Commissioner of the Year in 2016 and the Public Service Community First Award from Cleveland State Community College in 2017. He served as a director at Cleveland National Bank and First American National Bank.

Ed is preceded in death by his father D.B. Lay and mother Mildred Lay. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vicky Page Lay, sons Charlie (Lisa), Andy (Becca) and grandchildren Caitlin, Lauren, Ryan, A.J. and James, brothers Howard (Carolyn), Ken (Carolyn) and many other special family and friends.

Ed's family will receive friends on Friday, July 19 from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm at First Baptist Church. A Celebration of Ed's life will be held at the church at 2:00 pm following visitation with Tom Wicks officiating. He will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens with Mr. Larry McDaniel, Mr. Jerry Hendrix, Mr. Ron Ricketts, Mr. Jerry Bohannon, Dr. Dan Donaldson, Dr. David Chaffin, Mr. Paul Dellinger, and Dr. David McCoy serving as pallbearers. The Rotary Club of Cleveland and Cleveland Housing Authority Commissioners and Employees will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorial contributions in memory of Ed can be made to the charity of your choice.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Ed or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Cleveland and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with these arrangements.