In 1921, Jess and Mabel Lay moved to San Antonio to care for Nannie Lay, then 60 years old. "Grandma" Lay's husband, Frances Marion Lay, had died in June of 1918 at the family home in La Vernia, Wilson County, Texas. Nannie Lay moved to San Antonio in 1919, where she lived alone at 734 Essex Street.5 She had diabetes and Jess worried that she needed care, particularly in preparation of her meals. Mabel Lay and Nannie Lay quarrelled frequently because Nannie would not follow her prescribed diet, and would sneak into the kitchen to eat sweets.

Nannie Lay died at the Santa Rosa Infirmary in San Antonio on 26 March 1931 of a diabetic coma that commenced the day before her death. Her death certificate indicated that she had suffered from diabetes mellitus for 7 years.

Her name is given in some places as “Nannie Jennie” in some places. Her name is given as Nancy Jane in the obituary for Francis Marion Lay that was published in the Floresville Chronicle-Journal on July 5, 1918. I give this newspaper article credit for having her actual name since she was still alive at the time it was written and probably had a part in proofing the obituary. The name on her grave marker in the LaVernia cemetery is “Mother Nannie Lay, 1861-1931” and her name in the 1910 census of Wilson County is “Nanie.”

Although family tradition is that she moved to San Antonio in 1919 (see above), she was still listed as living in La Vernia, Wilson Co TX, in the 1920 census (29 January 1920):

Name Age
Fanny M Lay 58 head widow MO TN TN
Salley Lay 27 dau single TX MO TX
Fred Lay 17 son single TX MO TX
Gilbert Lay 7 grandson single TX TX ??

The 1930 census of Bexar Co TX records what may be Nancy Lay, living with Gilbert:

Lay, Nina head age 69, widow MO TN MO
Lay, Gilbert adopted son age 17, single TX United States TX

These two census records suggest that Gilbert is Charles Gilbert Lay, Jr. It is possible that he was born to a foreign monther when Charles Gilbert Lay was overseas during World War I.

Francis Marion Lay's obituary appeared in the Floresville Chronicle Journal on 21 June 1918:

"Judge F. M. Lay, 65, a native Texan and resident of LaVernia for more than half a century. For 30 years, he has served consecutively as Justice of the Peace, a number of times being elected to office over his protest. For years he has been propietor of the Lay Hotel of LaVernia. His children are Miss Susie Lay of Kingsville, Mrs. Otto J. Tuschka of Globe, Arizona, Misses Sallie, Mamie, Libby of LaVernia, Jesse Lay of San Marcos, Charles Lay with the U. S. Marines, and Fred Lay. Charter member of the LaVernia Masonic Lodge."

The estate of F. M. Lay was probated in 1919.177 The Application for Community Administration, Estate of F. M. Lay, Deceased:

"Petitionor, Mrs. Nannie Lay, states that her husband F. M. Lay died on 17 June 1918 at LaVernia, Wilson County, Texas. Surviving children: Miss Sue Lay, 37; Mrs. Otto Tuschka, 35; Jesse L. Lay, 31; Charlie Lay, 29; Sallie Lay, 27; Mrs. R. G. Treon, 24; and Fred Lay, 16. Deceased died intestate. All property situated within Wilson Co Texas."

The estate was eventually appraised as "one house and lot in LaVernia, Texas, $3000.00; 25 acres one-half mile west of LaVernia, Texas, $1000."

Listed in the 1910 census of Justice Precinct 6, Wilson Co TX
Marion Lay, head, m, w, 54, married 29 years, TX, KY, KY, hotel keeper
Nanie - , wife, f, w, 49, married 29 yers, MO, TN, MO
Susie - , daughter, f, w, 28, single, TX, TX, MO
Salie - , daughter, f, w, 18, single, TX, TX, MO
Mamie - , daughter, f, w, 15, single, TX, TX, MO
Fred - , son, m, w, 12, single, TX, TX, MO

Texas Death Index, 1903-2000766

Name: F. M. Judge Lay
Death Date: 17 Jun 1918
Death County: Wilson
Certificate: 27015