Jerry Hayes

Jerry M. Hayes, age 74, of Fayette, AL went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 16, 2018. The memorial service to celebrate his life will be Sunday, July 22, 2018, at the Central Church of Christ in Fayette, AL with Norwood-Wyatt funeral home directing. The family will receive visitors from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. He was preceded in death by his parents J.D. Hayes & Ella Faye Lucas (York), two sisters Nell Hayes and Doris Miles, and a daughter Renee Wheat. Survivors include his devoted wife of 32 years Robin Burnette Hayes, son, Tony Hayes (Vickie), of Hamilton, AL, daughters, Tonyea Cook (Steve), of Fayette, AL, Emily Cromwell, of Fayette, AL, grandchildren Ty Hayes (Carla) of Hamilton, AL, Andy Hayes of Hamilton, AL, Jake Caldwell (Autumn Brooke) of Birmingham, Lydia Stough (Tyler) of Fayette, AL, Lori Deerman (Payton), of San Clemente, CA, Tatt Huffman of Fayette, AL, Rachel Caldwell of Berry, AL, Julia Cook of Fayette, AL, and Zaira Kaye Cromwell of Fayette, AL, great granddaughters Aaliyah Hayes and Aria Hayes of Hamilton, one brother Jimmy Hayes of Winfield, AL, sisters Karen Manasco (David) and Cynthia Hayes of Fayette AL, step-mother, Hazel Hayes, and a host of dear family members and friends. Jerry was a graduate of the Winfield High School class of 1961. After high school, he attended college in Birmingham and then joined the United States Air Force where he worked with the SR71 and U2 airplanes and also, as a forward controller with an Australian unit in Vietnam. His 20 years of service to our country allowed him to live in England, Iran, and many other places. After retiring from the military, he worked in Los Angeles, CA in research and development. He later returned home to Alabama where he completed his college education at UNA and graduate degree at Mississippi State University. He worked a variety of jobs from selling insurance and furniture to managing newspaper routes and driving tour buses. He retired a second time after 10 years of employment with Premier Service Company in Tuscaloosa. After his second retirement, Jerry dedicated himself to serving the Lord by helping others. He served on the missions and benevolence committee and in many other ways at Central Church of Christ. He was instrumental in starting the Christian Center of Concern where he served as a board member. Anytime anyone needed help, the community knew to contact Jerry. If he couldn't help, he would find someone who could. Jerry became the "go to person" for anyone in need. Jerry was an amazing man who loved his family and people in general. The world is a better place and many have benefited from his love, generosity, and wisdom. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jerry's favorite charities: Central Church of Christ Mission & Benevolence, VFW Post 5406, and Christian Center of Concern.