With heavy hearts and profound love, our family announces the peaceful passing of Nancy Elizabeth Lay Brown, 72, of Lawrenceburg, KY, on Monday, May 25, 2026. She left surrounded by the warmth and comfort of her family and close friends.

Born on September 5th, 1953, in Liberty, KY, Nancy lived a life defined by her devotion to her Lord and Savior.

Nancy married the love of her life, CJ, at 16 years old and together they built a beautiful life and raised 3 children on the hill on Hammonds Creek. They took their kids camping often and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and simply being outdoors together. Once her children were in school she became a bus driver/instructor. Her greatest joy in life was being a grandmother- whether she was cooking them dinner, making them quilts, or attending their sporting events she always took time to make each of them feel uniquely special.

Nancy was known for her strong will, her endurance, and her eager willingness to help family, friends, and strangers alike.

She had a passion for quilting, gardening, traveling, bluegrass festivals, and most recently- pageants. When she wasn't doting on her grand and great-grandchildren, she loved going on "sister trips" with her sisters, she especially loved going to bluegrass festivals with her partner in crime: her sister Brenda. She enjoyed camping at the Lake in the Pines campground.

Nancy leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, hard work, and strength.

She is survived by her children: Angela Marie (Wayne) Hill of Lawrenceburg, Annette Michalle "Tug" Brown of Lawrenceburg, and Charles Junior Brown of Lawrenceburg; her cherished grandchildren: Patrick McKennon Brown (Robyn Greer), Cody Allen (Zoie) Maynard, and Nancy Lee (Kurgan) Quisenberry; her precious great-grandchildren: Emma Lauren Shewmaker, John Thomas Maynard, Hadley McKennon Brown, Archer David Quisenberry, Elizabeth Jane Simpson-Maynard, Alton Dailey Quisenberry, Kaiden Allen Maynard, and Abner Deacon Quisenberry; her honorary grandchildren: Cami Dwhitt Simpson (Luke Drummond) and Raelynn Makinzie Drummond; and her siblings: Beulah Garrett, Brenda Roy, Mack (Wanda) Lay, and Kim (Allen) Withers.

She is preceded in death by her husband C.J., her parents Ralph and Theda Lay, siblings: William Lay, Junior Lay, Bradley Lay, and Valerie Cox; and brother-in-laws: Boyd Roy, Gerald Garrett, and Earl Cox.

A celebration of Nancy's life will be held on Saturday, May 30th, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Bartle Funeral Home in Liberty. Visitation begins at 11:00 a.m. and will last until the service begins, friends and family are invited to attend and share their favorite memories of her. Burial will follow the service at the Caney Fork Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Caney Fork Cemetery or Bluegrass Care Navigators (Hospice).

Pallbearers: Patrick Brown, John Thomas Maynard, Archer Quisenberry, Kurgan Quisenberry, Junior Brown, Neil Roy, Brad Roy, Dusty Lay, Trace Lay, Chris Garrett.

Honorary Pallbearers: Jeremy Hawkins, Alton Quisenberry, Abner Quisenberry, Andrew Roy, Matthew Roy, Isaac Lay, Tyler Lay, Jake Lay, Holden Lay, Brent Hamilton, Henry Thompson, Jack Adams, Jacob Atwood, Wesson Sneed, Mac Hogue, Chase Hogue, Josh Blair, and Jaylan Waddle.