Joanna Lay
February 22, 1951 ~ May 24, 2026
Joanna Lay, a beloved wife, mother, sister, teacher, and friend, who left this world on May
24, 2026, at the age of 75. Born on February 22, 1951, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Joanna
brought joy, warmth, and inspiration to everyone she encountered throughout her life.
Joanna dedicated her career to education, serving as a devoted elementary teacher for 27
years at Boyle County Schools in Danville, Kentucky. She loved children and the wonder
they saw in the world. She also held a passion for sports by participating in community
recreation leagues, coaching field hockey at Centre College and serving as a basketball
coach for the Special Olympics. Her unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds
through support of athletics, creativity, and community building will undoubtedly be
remembered by her students and colleagues.
Joanna was a proud alumna of Berea College. She met her beloved husband of 52 years,
Danny Lay, while they were both students there. Together, they embraced life with
enthusiasm and tireless work to make the world a better place with every gift God invested
within them. Joanna is also survived by Danny, and their son Jonathan Lay (Leslie
Anderson), their eldest daughter Kate Lay-Anderson (Chip Anderson), and their youngest
daughter, Jessie Lay. She is also survived by her cherished granddaughters Georgia and
Shelby Anderson. Her brother Bill Fletcher (Denise Fletcher) and her sister Brenda Bowman
{Steve Bowman) are also survivors. She was preceded in death by her parents, Doak and
Emogene Fletcher, her sisters Judy Cole and Joyce Boykin, and her brother Addison “Bub”
Fletcher. Each survivor carries a piece of her vibrant spirit and the love she shared so
generously.
Joanna was known for her devotion to those she loved, her tenacity, and her playful nature.
She had exceptional gifts in many sports that helped her build an exceptional community
of friends over the years. She was also an artist and musician. Her love for sketching and
painting was fueled by the scenes of nature she found on the various adventures she had
exploring untamed spaces in the world around her when she was physically able. She
taught her children to cherish beauty as they experienced it; Joanna held gratitude for the
scenes and relationships that shaped her as gifts that shaped her identity.
A visitation with family and friends will be held June 3, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A
memorial service to honor Joanna’s life and legacy will be held at Stith Funeral Home in
Danville on June 4, 2026, at 11 :00 a.m. Joanna will be laid to rest in Lancaster Cemetery ..
Joanna Fletcher Lay will be dearly missed. She lived as she taught-with movement,
creativity, courage, and a refusal to let the time we have been given go to waste. To honor
her remarkable life as a mother, teacher, artist, and adventurer, let us remember her
favorite truth: existing is not enough, life is for living. May we carry her fierce love for this
world forward, continuing to build the beautiful, vibrant future she always believed was
possible.
Services
Visitation: June 3, 2026 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Stith Funeral Home - Danville
318 West Broadway
Danville, KY 40422
(859) 236-2113
Memorial Service: June 4, 2026 11:00 am
Stith Funeral Home - Danville
318 West Broadway
Danville, KY 40422
(859) 236-2113
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I was privileged to share my Berea College
journey with Jo,my roommate for three years. Jo approached life with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. She was a cherished friend.