Ella Lahay

Ella Gean LaHay, 80 of Decatur, Alabama passed away peacefully in Bartlett, Tennessee on April 5, 2019 surrounded by her loved ones. Ella was born on January 1, 1939 in Wilmington, North Carolina, to the late Charles Claude and Eloise Meredith (Reed) Thornton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald LaHay; sons, Roy, Michael, and Keith James; brother, Charles “Buddy” Thornton; sisters, Temperance McGhee and Mamie Fowler.

Ella is survived by her children, Tamara (Charles) Hormann of Memphis, TN, Steven (Hilary) James of Burke, VA, John James of Chinquapin, NC, Scott James of Wallace, NC, Paul (Rebecca) James of Greenville, NC, and Shara (John) Lynch of Gallatin, TN; 18 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; sister, Anne Thornton; brother, John “Jasper” Thornton; many nieces and nephews.

Ella was a lifetime homemaker and a career Navy spouse. She had a sharp wit, an amazing sense of humor, and a deep interest in politics. She loved her plants and her animals and took in many stray cats and dogs over the years.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 14, 2019 from 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM, at C. Z. Boyer & Son Caldwell Chapel in Park Hills. Interment will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis where she will be laid to rest with her loving husband. A memorial donation may be made in Ella’s name to the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) spca@spca.org

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