Sandra "Kay" Crye

We are heartbroken to share the passing of our dear daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Sandra Kay Arms Crye, 72, departed this life peacefully on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

Ms. Kay was born on May 2, 1950, in Ocoee, Tennessee and was raised on the family farm alongside her best friend, her brother Sammy.  They lived side by side most of her life. After high school Kay attended and graduated from East Tennessee State University.  She and her husband the late Mike Crye then returned home to Ocoee. 

Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Michael Crye; mother, Edna Burchfiel Arms Daugherty, and her husband Roy; grandparents, Arnold, and Jesse Louella Burchfiel, and Rev. W.D. and Robbie Arms, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Grady, and Cleo Crye.

Left to cherish the many memories include her father, Samuel Wallace Arms of Delano; brothers, Samuel “Sammy” Wallace Arms Jr. and wife Rhonda of Ocoee, Stacy Wally Arms and wife Robin of Delano; nephews, Scott (LaRhonda) Arms of Orlando, Fl., Zachary Arms of Bethlehem, Penn., Jacob (Beka) Arms of Delano, Joshua Arms of Knoxville, and Josh of Orlando, Fl.; nieces, Rachel Arms of Delano, Hannah Arms of Delano, and Kay’s beloved Sarah Arms (Timothy Ryan) Bruns of Raleigh, NC.; great-nieces, Savannah Cheyenne Arms, and Libby Eleanor Bruns; great-great nephew, Caleb Arms; a much loved brother-in-law, Tim Crye, and the man of her life, Dennis Bates.  Countless aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, co-workers, and special friend Lisa Harbison also survive.

Kay was affectionately known as Miss Kay to the hundreds of kindergarten children that she taught for over her forty years in education. Teaching and loving her littles were Kay’s life-long passion and will be her legacy.

Kay loved beautiful flowers and birds along with admiring the deer grazing in her field.   Kay enjoyed cooking and baking for which she was well-known and shopping and decorating.  Kay enjoyed the times and holidays spent with her family and will be deeply missed by all.

Throughout Kay’s life, she touched many people and made the world a more beautiful and kinder place. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2022, at Shiloh Baptist Church, with Rev. Charlie Campbell and Pastor Andrew Sibley officiating.  Interment will follow at Shiloh Cemetery with her family serving as pallbearers.

Family and friends will gather from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, prior to the service at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.HigginsFuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Higgins Funeral Home of Benton.