Gladys Graham Hayes passed away peacefully at her home in Dillon, SC on Wednesday, May 17, 2017.
Services will be held held 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held 12:00-1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Officiants will be Dr. Dickie Cullum assisted by Rev. Richard B. Archer. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
Gladys was born on October 31, 1922 in Dillon, SC, the daughter of Vernie L. and Daisy Adams Graham. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Mabel Graham Minshew; one brother, Boyd Robert Graham, and the love of her life, her husband of fifty years, Henry Hayes who passed away in 1991.
During her 50 year marriage to Henry, she spent 24 of those years as a loyal and dedicated military wife. She served her country by keeping the “home fires burning” while Henry proudly served as a member of the 82nd Airborne.
Gladys was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Dillon for over 50 years where she served her church in various roles in the Women’s Missionary Union, her Sunday School Classes and as a weekly “Prayer Warrior” for those with special spiritual needs and a loyal “circle” member.
As a lover of flowers and nature, Gladys was a member of the Evergreen Garden Club for over 20 years until its disbanding in the early 90s. She served her community well as a volunteer of the McLeod Dillon Medical Auxiliary where she worked in the Auxiliary Gift Shop.
She is survived by her daughter, Hilda Hayes Myers; son, James Henry Hayes; granddaughters, Angela Michelle Hayes of Surfside Beach, SC, and Elizabeth Ashley Hayes of Laurinburg, NC; brother, John L. Graham (Betty) of Dillon, SC; She also leaves behind one special niece, Kathy Lee Minshew and a special nephew, Roland G. “Butch” Minshew (Cameron) in addition to several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church “Heavenly Chow” program, 400 N. 4th Ave., Dillon, SC 29536, and Hospice of South Carolina, 206 E. Roosevelt St., Dillon, SC 29536.
The family is grateful for the care and support of Hospice of SC especially the love and care of Mrs. Bobbie Lee and Mrs. Irene Thompkins.