It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Lorena Fay Bothe. She departed from this life at home in Cookeville, Tennessee, where she had resided since 2012, with her family by her side, on September 30, 2025, at the age of 82.

Fay was born on October 17, 1942, in Beggs, Oklahoma. Throughout her teenage years, she dreamed of traveling the world. On September 11, 1965, she married the love of her life, Dale Joel Bothe after first becoming pen pals; they recently celebrated 60 wonderful years together.

For 20 years, Fay stood with unwavering strength as a Navy wife, gracefully navigating the challenges of military life and creating a warm, stable home for her family wherever they were stationed. Her resilience and dedication created a sense of permanence and joy for her family, no matter where their journey took them. Due to multiple military relocation orders, she was able to fulfill her dreams of seeing the world, visiting Germany, Netherlands, and Luxembourg and lived in Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium. Throughout the United States, she resided in Oklahoma, California, Mississippi, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Paris, France, was her absolute favorite place and served as an extended honeymoon, as it was the first place she and Dale lived after marrying.

In her spare time, her creative spirit flourished through her passion for sewing, ceramics, and baking. In retirement, she explored family lineage with genealogical research that stretched back centuries and across several family branches. She was a master baker, known for her sculpture cakes and comforting desserts that were a cornerstone of every family gathering and wedding. She baked and decorated the wedding cakes for each of her three daughters. Her sewing skills produced countless cherished items, from intricately knitted baby blankets, stuffed animals, and costumes, to quilts that wrapped her family in warmth and love. Throughout the year’s she handmade all special occasion dresses for her daughters to include dresses for Easter, homecoming and prom. Fay’s legacy is one of unwavering support and love for family, delicious food, and homemade gifts that will be treasured forever.

She is survived by her husband, Dale Bothe; her children and their spouses: Sherry and Mike Lowden, Jennifer and Mark Mattaliano, Dianna and Andy Anderson, and Timothy Bothe; her grandson, Joseph Mattaliano; and her siblings: Roy Floyd, Jean Hess, Iola Wood, and Robert Floyd. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hester Green Floyd and Hattie Lorena Floyd, and her siblings: Ray Floyd, Earl Floyd, Leola Floyd, Margaret Norton, and Ada Rose Floyd.

A celebration of life and private service for Lorena Fay Bothe will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

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