Jean Haire Hays
Jean Haire Hays, age 88, passed away on March 11, 2023, in Ruston. The funeral will be Friday, March 17 at 11 a.m. in the chapel at Temple Baptist Church.
The family will be receiving visitors prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. Interment will follow at Kilpatrick Memorial Gardens in Ruston under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Homes.
She was born September 24, 1934, in Lafayette County, Mississippi. She graduated from high school at Vardaman, Mississippi, and obtained a degree in elementary education from Blue Mountain College in 1956. She taught in Gulfport City School District for two years and then became education secretary at First Baptist Church, Gulfport, Dr. Landrum Leavell, pastor.
She met her husband, Bill, in Gulfport and they were married June 18, 1961. They moved to Ruston and became active members of Temple Baptist Church where Jean sang in the adult choir, worked with children in Sunday School, and was a member of Lunch Bunch mission group. She was an active member of Long Leaf Pine Chapter, DAR.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Reverend and Mrs. L.F. Haire, sisters Faye Taylor, Voncille Tedrick, brother Reverend Joel Haire, and her husband of 53 years, William Hays.
She is survived by her children, Muriel Ryder, Edward Hays, Elizabeth Porter and husband Pat, Brian Hays and wife Jen; grandchildren, Logan Ryder and wife Amanda, Caroline Wilt and husband Caleb, Anna Ryder, Travis Hays, Sydney Hays, Michael Hays and wife Sarah, Hays Porter and wife Emily, Joel Porter, Will Porter, Cole Hays, Troy Hays, Carly Hays, Cade Ashcraft, Jake Ashcraft; and greatgrandsons, Gabe Ryder, Zane Ryder, Finn Wilt (“Zip”).
The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to Life Choices of North Central Louisiana.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the administration and staff of The Arbor and Terrace of Ruston for their care and many acts of kindnesses to Mom during her time there.
Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes. com.
