Extracted from The Jackson Independent (Jonesboro, LA)
Thursday, February 19, 2004

Hays
John Hays, 64

John Bowen Hays died Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004. Memorial services were held for him Friday, Feb. 13 at Edmonds Funeral Home in Jonesboro, La., conducted by the Rev. Stuart Toms and assisted by the Rev. Perry Lassiter.

Pallbearers were Buddy Taylor, Mike Miles, Doug Stokes, Jerry Hutchinson, Travis Hall and Kelvin Humphries. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Lucky Aces and Brooklyn Trash bowling teams from Monroe, La. He lived for Monday and Tuesday night bowling leagues.

John was born Oct. 28, 1939 in Brookhaven, Miss. to John B. Hays and Dorothy Lucas Hays. Early in life, the family moved to Monroe.

John was in the United States Navy for nine years. He graduated from Northeast Louisiana University with a degree in aviation in 1971. After being employed by Bellsouth for more than 30 years, John retired in February of 2002.John was an avid high school football fan, a golfer and a bowler. Not many people knew it, but John enjoyed crochet and had made several baby Afghans for newborn family or friends.

He was a Christian and a member of Hodge Baptist Church since 1982. He was active in the church choir for nearly 20 years. He considered as family his friends at Hodge Baptist Church.

John is survived by his wife, Carole Jordan Hays of Quitman, La.; two sons, John B. Hays and wife Beth of Monroe, La. and Craig M. Hays and wife Jacque of Gretna, La.; four daughters, Sean E. Hays of Hodge, La., Susan C. Hays of Jonesboro, La., Stacey M. Hays of West Monroe, La. and Shelley Hays Shows and husband Jason of Quitman, La. Also, John leaves his pride and joy, his grandchildren: Crystal Hays and Jacob and Cole Shows, and his step-grandchildren, Evan Crowell and Katie Hanna. Other family members are his aunts: Lois Golman and husband Hollis of Monticello, Miss., Martha Lucas of Monroe, La. and Elodie Hays of West Monroe, La. John is also survived by the family of his first wife, who live in New Orleans, La. In Carole's family, John is survived by his two sisters-in-law, Jackie Hughes and husband Billy Joe of Baton Rouge, La., Betty Walsworth and husband Billy Ted of Kiethville, La.; nephew, Keith Hughes and his family of Gonzales, La.; three nieces, Pam Hamrick and her family of Franklin, Tenn., Pat Ferlito and her family of Shreveport, La., Paula Brantley and her family of Mooringsport, La.; and three aunts, Mattie Wheatly of Jonesboro, La., Annie Maude Caraway of Ruston, La. and Jessie Wheatley of Ruston, La.

Services were under the direction of Edmonds Funeral Home.