Leanna Jay

Leanna Jay, age 77, of Rutherfordton, passed away Monday, August 7, 2023 at Rutherford Regional Medical Center.

Leanna was born Wednesday, October 31, 1945 in Rutherford County to the late Grady “Shorty” Thomas and Mamie McCombs Thomas. She was a graduate of East Rutherford High School and a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Forest City. She worked for many years at the Cone Jacquard plant. Leanna enjoyed cleaning, cooking, decorating and reading. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend.       

     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two husbands, Terry Norman and Phil Jay; sisters, Sheila Horn, Barbara Earles and a brother, Guido Simpson.

     Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Shawn Norman (Tammy) of Forest City; sister, Teresa Walters (Jim) of the Shiloh Community; grandson, Shane Gilbert of the Chase Community; great-grandson, Lucas Gilbert and a sister-in-law, Linda Jay.

     A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 am on Friday, August 11^th at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery with Reverend Ernie Cole officiating. The body will lie in state from 12:00 until 5:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.

     Memorial donations are requested to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.