Ica Lay-Coggin (1-17-19) service 1-26-19

Ica Lee Lay-Coggin, of Pulaski, Tennessee, died on Thursday, Jan. 17.

She was born in the Pyburn Community of Hardin County, daughter of Walker C. and Myrtle Lee Fondren Lay, who preceded her in death.  She was also preceded in death by a sister, Reba Elizabeth Lay.

She worked in Giles County as a public health nurse with the Tennessee Department of Health. She later became a regional nursing supervisor for the South Central Region and then became the Maternal Child Health regional director for Children’s Special Services, culminating a career of more than 40 years in 2004.

At the time of her death, she was serving on the Pulaski Housing Authority Board, and donating her time and talents to the Community Rural Food Delivery to ensure that food boxes were delivered once a month to families in need.  She also supported Hunters for the Hungry in their efforts to alleviate hunger.

She also spent many years volunteering with the March of Dimes, serving as Middle Tennessee Program Services committee chair, working to support their mission to improve the health of mothers and babies.  Her love of reading led her to becoming a member of the Giles County Library Board.  She also supported the work of the Giles County Humane Association and higher education by donating to Martin Methodist College’s Giles County Scholarship.

Ica was a member of First United Methodist Church and she helped the church establish Matthew 25 Thrift Shoppe.

She is survived by her sister, Betty Walker Warmath of Halfway, Oregon; two sons, Jeffrey C. Coggin of Pulaski, Tennessee and Bill Coggin of Atlanta; daughter, Tracy Lenti Crump of Atlanta; stepson, Chuck Coggin of Clearwater, Florida; one niece and one nephew; and seven grandchildren.

It was her plan that her remains be donated to medical education and research.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, Tennessee, on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Matthew 25 Missions Fund, c/o First United Methodist Church, 200 West Jefferson Street, Pulaski, Tenn. 38478 or to the March of Dimes.