Extracted from Birmingham News (Birmingham, AL)
Wednesday, November 7, 2001

HAYES, MERLE JULIAN (BURNS), age 85, passed away at a local hospital, Monday, November 5, 2001. Mrs. Hayes was a member of the Woodstock United Methodist Church and served in many capacities. She graduated from Livingston State Teachers College and the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. Mrs. Hayes taught school for 39 years and retired in 1978 from Brookwood Elementary School.

Survivors include her husband, Azor D. Hayes; brother, Thomas W. Burns; sister, Willie (Burns) Nichols, all of Woodstock, AL.; numerous cousins.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, November 8, 2001 at 11:30 AM from Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 7, 2001 from 5:30-8:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park Cemetery. Rev. John H. Tucker and Rev. Frankie J. Jones will be officiating. Bessemer Brown Service Funeral Home Directing.