Florena "Lori" (Wyatt) Kays

Florena “Lori” (Wyatt) Kays age 93 passed away peacefully Nov. 27 at her Knoxville home after a long illness. Lori was born in Breathitt County, KY in 1930 on July 25th to parents, Minnie and Floyd Wyatt and had three brothers; Floyd Jr., Robert and Edward and two sisters; Verna and Mattie Jean. She is survived by her husband, James Kays; son, Richard and daughter, Kandi Hall. Extended local family survivors include sister; Jean Beasley; nieces, Ginger Ray and family, Kim Smith and family; nephew, Brian Beasley and family. She was also survived by granddaughters; Mindy Paulsen and family, Kelley Pereira and family; grandsons, Brandon and Jake Hall; great-granddaughters, Haley Pereira and Asa Hall; great grandson, Johnathan Paulsen. She was preceded in death by her first husband, WD Patton; son, Wayne Dennis Patton; grandson, Evan Hall; nephew, Mike Fisher. She joins them now in everlasting joy in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Lori was a long-time member of Faith Promise Church and a woman of strong faith in God. The people that knew her best always spoke of her beautiful smile, youthful appearance and childlike sense of humor. She lived for her children and loved them as much as any mother possibly could. Lori had a love of antiques and collectables and spent countless hours at local estate sales, Flea Markets, and garage sales shopping for items to stock the family shop Lori’s Collectibles and later in life she and her husband maintained booths in several different antique malls around the Knoxville area. Throughout these years she raised three children, yet her home was always well kept despite being full of her “treasures” she collected along the way.

Lori was a unique and incredible woman who could easily strike up a conversation with anybody and she had a knack for bringing out the best in people. She will be sorely missed and the pain we all feel from her passing is only diminished by our faith in God and the fact that she will never be forgotten and that she is free of her suffering and the fact that one day we will see her again in Heaven.

Services will be held at Berry Highland Memorial 5315 Kingston Pike on Friday, December 8, 2023 at 1:00pm. Flowers may be sent to the same address.