Thelma Luffman Lay

Surrounded by family she loved, Thelma Ola Luffman Lay, age 81, of Elkin, died Thursday, April 27th at her home.

She was born in 1936 in Lexington, NC, to Thurmond and Bretta Luffman. Thelma graduated in 1954 from Elkin High School. She met the love of her life, Elton Lay, while both were working for the FBI in Washington, D.C. During Elton's time in the U.S. Army, they lived abroad in Germany. While raising three children in Elkin, Thelma earned her elementary education degree from Appalachian State University in 1978. She taught for 24 years in the Wilkes County School System, primarily at CB Eller Elementary School. She touched generations of area children.

Doing what she loved, Thelma faithfully served as a pianist/organist at Little Elkin Baptist Church for over 60 years. Thelma loved to sing. She loved babies, children, and adored flowers and birds. Her hobbies were cooking, baking and quilting. She loved to travel and liked to laugh. Her sweet spirit will be missed by all who loved her.

Thelma is survived by her husband of 60 years, Elton Lay, and her sons, Greg (Jolie) Lay of San Antonio, Texas; Steve (Anna Scheyett) Lay of Athens, Georgia and Kevin (Ashley) Lay of Winston-Salem. She doted on her seven grandchildren, June (John) Hart, Michael (Nicole) Hayes, Nora Simmons, Amanda Lay, Andrew (Brittany) Lay, Alex (Jeremy) Baker and Carson Lay. She is survived by four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Elkin Funeral Service. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Sunday, April 30, 2017 at Little Elkin Baptist Church of Ronda with Reverend Gwyn Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mihaela Vatca and her staff at Wake Forest Baptist Health Cancer Center of Elkin, Mountain Valley Hospice and Little Elkin Baptist Church for their loving care.