Cover photo for Reba Pauline White Hayes's Obituary
Reba Pauline White Hayes Profile Photo
1914 Reba 2015

Reba Pauline White Hayes

August 27, 1914 — August 26, 2015

Mrs. Reba Pauline White Hayes went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 just two hours before her 101 birthday! She was in declining health for six years and moved from Woltz Hospice House in Dobson, North Carolina to receive full time nursing care at Pruitt Health in Elkin, North Carolina in May of 2013. Mrs. Hayes was born on August 27, 1914 to James Vance and Bessie Jane Caudle White. Mrs. Hayes was born in the Union Cross area of Surry County just as the United States under President Woodrow Wilson's leadership declared neutrality in the first stages of World War 1. Reba was the second of seven children. Her parents ran a small grocery store and she and her sister Empress helped with chores and cared for their young siblings. Her Aunt taught her to sew and she made dresses for neighbors to help with family income. The family opened a new grocery store in Elkin when she was twelve. It was there that she met and would marry at age nineteen her true love, Lee Roy Hayes! Their marriage spanned 80 years of love and devotion to each other! Over the years Reba worked second shift in the Binding Department at Chatham Manufacturing Company in Elkin. Mill work was hard, but she always took pride in her work and maintained a strong work ethic. Mrs. Hayes was a devoted Christian woman with high ideals. Reba and Lee Roy were baptized together as they began their marriage on October 28, 1933. She was the oldest living member at Elkin Valley Baptist Church until her passing. She taught Sunday School and Training Union in the Primary class for over 30 years and was blessed to share her faith with many children. One young boy would later become a nurse and minister to her at Pruitt Health in her final years! Reba and Lee Roy were faithful members at the church and supported all mission work. She was compassionate and nurturing. She always took some homemade treat when she visited. She was a devoted homemaker who enjoyed cooking, sewing, embroidery, canning and freezing from her garden, and spending time with her family. She was a beloved wife to her husband until his passing at age 98. She was a loving Mother to her son David Lee who passed in 2010 and to her daughter Ann. She brought much joy to the lives of her five grandchildren and to her nine great grandchildren. She was Grandma to all who knew and loved her! In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hayes was preceded in death by her loving husband Lee Roy Hayes and by their son David Lee Hayes of Tawas, Michigan. She was preceded in death by three sisters: Empress Gentry of Elkin, Lala Wooten of Elkin, and Colleen Wall of Greensboro. She was preceded in death by two brothers: James Vance White, Jr., of Elkin and Joe Bill White of Elkin. Mrs. Hayes is survived by her daughter Ann Garner and husband Andy of State Road; by her Daughter-in-Law Mary Hayes of Tawas, Michigan; by one sister, Hazel Ball of Cornelius; and by three sister-in-laws: Lorene White of Yadkinville, Helen Swain of Elkin, and Edith Hemric and husband Jim of Ronda. She had many loving nieces and nephews. Mrs. Hayes is survived by 5 Grandchildren: Terry Patterson and wife Julia of Hays; Danny Hayes and wife Monta of Durand, Michigan; Jennifer Hall and husband Johnny of State Road; Gretchen Kirkman and husband Treva of Mount Airy; and Scott Hollar of Raleigh. Mrs. Hayes is survived by 9 Great Grandchildren: Jessica McLean and husband Kyle of Columbia, SC; Emily Wing and husband Brian of Charlotte; Luke Patterson of Charlotte; Jordan Hayes of Durand, Michigan; Mary Frances Hall of State Road; Harrison Hall of State Road; Lily Kirkman of Mount Airy; Rose Kirkman of Mount Airy; and Anniston Hollar of Raleigh. The family will receive friends on Wednesday Evening, September 2 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Elkin Funeral Service. A Funeral service will be conducted at Elkin Valley Baptist Church on Thursday, September 3 at 4:00 pm with Dr. Johnny Blevins and Minister Carolyn Tate officiating. Final respects can be made for 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Family members and dear friends will serve as pallbearers. We wish to extend thanks to: All family and friends who have been faithful in their visits and prayers; CNA's Vanessa Gomillion, Carol Collins, Christine Mabe, and Carolyn Tate who were steadfast in their care for Reba and Lee Roy; Dr. Johnny Blevins, Deacon David Hutchens and members at Elkin Valley Baptist Church for their unwavering support; Dr. Glenn Golaszewski, Dr. Bill Johnson, and the loving nurses and staff at Mountain Valley Hospice on whom we depended for over three years; And to the dedicated nurses and staff at Pruitt Health who cared for both Mr. and Mrs. Hayes during many stays there, including her two years as a resident and especially during both their last days of illness and at their deaths. You were all our extended families and true ministers over long years of illness and we offer our heartfelt thanks! GOD BLESS YOU! In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Elkin Valley Baptist Church, 118 North Elkin Drive, Elkin, NC 28621 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, a missions program which was special to both Reba and Lee Roy. With special thanks, Services are entrusted to Mrs. Hayes' loving Grandson Terry Patterson and the staff at Elkin Funeral Services.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Reba Pauline White Hayes, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

6:00am - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Funeral Service

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Starts at 4:00 pm (Eastern time)

Elkin Valley Baptist Church

118 North Elkin Drive, Elkin, NC 28621

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Interment

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Elkin Valley Baptist Church Cemetery

118 North Elkin Drive, Elkin, NC 28621

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