Beverly Lay

Beverly Jo Lay, 80, of Southfield, MI, a beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to many, passed away on August 23, 2025, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Beverly was born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, on January 9, 1945, and the eldest daughter to Ruby Lay and Calvin O. Lay, Sr. and sister to Loretta Duvall and Calvin (“Donnie”) Lay, Jr. She graduated from the High School of Commerce (the predecessor of Cass Technical High School) in Detroit, MI, in 1962. Beverly also graduated from Patricia Stevens Finishing School in 1967, and attended Detroit College of Business in Dearborn, MI, and the University of Detroit in Detroit, MI. After, she worked for the Standard Accident Insurance Company for several years before eventually finding employment with Ford Motor Company in June 1965. Beverly started at Ford as a corporate secretary. She then modeled for Ford, Chrysler, GM, Lincoln/Mercury from the ages of 21–29. She featured in fashion shows, print ads, and was the turntable and narrator model at auto shows in Detroit, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, and Indianapolis. Through numerous promotions over the decades, she became an Executive Meeting and Event Planner for Senior Management and Dealer Principals, which was her last position at Ford before retiring in 2007 after 42 years of service. After retiring, she volunteered with St. Vincent Sarah Fisher Center tutoring young adults helping them obtain a GED and also went on to work part time at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, MI, for six years as a Residential Concierge. Faith was important to Beverly and followed her throughout her life. She was baptized in November 1964 in the Calvary Presbyterian Church, Detroit, MI, and converted to Catholicism in 1998 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church (now named Church of the Transfiguration) in Southfield, MI. She regularly volunteered with the church and served as a Eucharistic Minister for some time. She would even hand deliver prayer books on a monthly basis to friends and family. Above all, Beverly would have said becoming a mother was her greatest achievement. On August 21, 1983, she became a mom to her only daughter, Brie Statham. She raised her on her own with the help of family and friends and made sure Brie never wanted for anything and had all the opportunities life had to offer, including going to law school. To know Beverly was to know she loved several things deeply, helping people, being active, baking, and crafting. Besides volunteering, she helped many people obtain employment at Ford. She became guardian over her close friend who became seriously ill. Beverly was known for baking her pound cakes and other delicious desserts that she would bring to events like the For Women Only (FWO) organization, of which she was a member. Over her life she learned how to sew, knit, crochet, write calligraphy, and make jewelry, and do all of it well. She stayed active throughout her life, playing tennis, skiing with the Jim Dandy Ski Club, biking, running, and attending the Detroit River Walk events during the summer in later years. Beverly also loved to travel and was lucky to do it both for work and pleasure. She went to Japan, Mexico, The Bahamas, Jamaica, South America, and Australia, just to name a few. Beverly is predeceased by her father, Calvin O. Lay (1993) and sister, Loretta C. Duvall (2006). Beverly is survived by her mother: Ruby W. Lay; daughter: Brie Marie Statham; brother: Calvin (“Donnie”) O. Lay, Jr. (Vanessa); nieces and nephews: Traci W. Duvall; Kelli Duvall Smith (Lawrence); Jamaal B. Lay (Kia); and Dana Lay Burton (Chris); grandnieces and nephews: Lawrence Humes; Sage and Harrison Smith; Donevan, Jaylen, and Kamille Lay; Riley and Laiah Burton, and numerous other family and dear friends who helped make Beverly’s life so well lived. A Memorial Service for Beverly will be held at the Church of the Transfiguration (25225 Code Rd, Southfield, MI 48033) on Saturday September 27, 2025, with an in-state gathering at 9:30am and the mass/service from 10:00-11:00am. A reception will immediately follow the service in the church reception hall.

Beverly Lay

January 9, 1945 - August 23, 2025