It is with regret we announce the passing of Ms. Diana Brooks McBay, age 67, of Fayetteville, TN. A visitation with family to share memories is scheduled for 5 PM until 7 PM, Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Higgins Funeral Home.

Diana Brooks McBay passed away surrounded by loved ones on Feb 25th, 2021. She was born June 24th, 1953 in Athens Alabama to the late Edna Vivian Moyers and the late Bobbi Lee Brooks. She later moved to Fayetteville with her late husband Dennis McBay. Together they raised 5 beautiful children and had 10 grandchildren. Diana retired from Frito Lay after years of dedicated service. She enjoyed sewing, camping, and spending time with those she loved. She was a friend to many, a mother, a wife, a grandmother and so much more. She was a joy to be around and left an imprint on the hearts of those she met. She had a special way of projecting love and joy into the hearts of those around her. Some may have seen her as a stepmother. That is not a title she accepted. She took in a child that was not of her flesh and loved him completely as her own from the first time she held him until her last breath. That’s who she was.

To her grandchildren, she was Nana, a role she fully embraced. She had an unwavering love for all of her family. She taught us all to be kind and loving. She held a prodigious amount of strength and courage. Her condition was never allowed to dictate her happiness or keep her from loving all of us to the fullest every day. Even in the darkest of times, she always found a way to lift us up. The kindness in her heart and her inclination to help others is one of the many reasons she was adored by those who knew her. She instilled that kindness in all of us and taught us all how to be loving, kind, and compassionate people. She never put her own needs over those she loved. Words just can’t express what she meant to so many people. She was a remarkable woman, the best Mom and Nana, and an inspiration to us all. We will miss her dearly, but we know she is at peace with Dad. Your song may have ended, Ma, but your melody lives on through us.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Dennis McBay. Survivors include her children, LeAnna Dendy of Tullahoma,TN, Jana McBay of Fayetteville, TN, Jeremy (Brandy) McBay of Kelso, TN, Jay McBay of Fayetteville, TN, Chase (Lisa) McBay of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, Kila McBay, Kaylyn McBay, Jason McBay, Ashlyn McBay, JT McBay, Baylor Dendy, Elijah Wolfe, Zoe McBay, Abigail McBay, ArJay Kellum; her wonderful sister in-law Brenda (Kenny) Jean; her very special niece, Christy; and extended family, Jason Dendy of Tullahoma, TN, Chanda Wingate of Maryland, and Melinda McBay of Fayetteville, TN.

The McBay family would like to extend a very special Thank You to Kathy Shockley and June Hastin for their unwavering love, support, and friendship throughout these trying times.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Ms. Diana Brooks McBay.