Vanessa Kay Lay McKee, 56, of Sparta, passed away Sept. 15, 2025, in the emergency room of Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital, in Sparta.
Vanessa was born Aug. 7, 1969, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She had a great love for children. Vanessa especially enjoyed working with preschool-age and nursery-age children; in return, they were always drawn to her. That love and dedication to the care of children not only served her well in her 20 years as a second-grade teacher at Greenbrier Elementary School but, most importantly, in her later years to her beloved grandchildren that knew her as Grammie. More recently, she found great enjoyment working alongside her husband at Tennetek. Vanessa will always be remembered as an inspiration for the way she faced adversity with her health issues and how she managed to leave those hoping to make her a smile with a special smile of their own.
Vanessa was preceded in death by her father, Benny Carl Lay, and her brother, Matt Lay.
Surviving family members include her husband of 33 years, Jim McKee; three sons, Jesse Nathaniel McKee, Ezekiel Ray McKee and wife Calla, Ian Peyton McKee and wife Chynna; grandchildren, Ella, Erasmus, Jude, Cullom; mother, Shelia Lay; nieces, Kayla Rose, Rachel Baldwin Adah Baldwin; and sister-in-law, Lori Baldwin.
Funeral service was noon, Sept. 20, 2025, at Long Hollow Baptist Church. In honor of Vanessa’s wishes, she will be cremated following her funeral service. Kenny Brooks officiated.
Memorials may be made to Vanderbilt Monroe Carroll Children’s Hospital in care of Hunter Funeral Home, P.O. Box 90, Sparta, Tennessee 38583.
Hunter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
