Johnson Hayes

Mr. Johnson Wingate Hayes, age 84, of Hope Mills died on January 31, 2014, after a lengthy illness with most of his family around his bedside. Mr. Hayes was born on January 24, 1930 in Robeson County. Mr. Hayes has been married to his wife, Doris Cribbs Hayes, for 63 years. Together, they had three children, Dr. Cathy Norton of Wilmington, NC, Rhonda Poole of Hope Mills, NC, and Dan Hayes of Stedman, NC.

Mr. Hayes was a kind, loving man and a devoted father. His children never doubted his love for them. Mr. Hayes was also a man of great faith and fervent prayer. He has served the Lord for over 65 years. Mr. Hayes was dedicated to his church, and when healthy, he worked hard to promote its growth. Mr. Hayes' life was one of service to his Lord Christ Jesus, his church, and his community. Mr. Hayes' life of service influenced the career choices of his children. All three of his children work in occupations that serve the public, i.e., mental health counseling, education, and pharmacy.

Mr. Hayes served in numerous leadership positions in his church and community. He served as superintendent of the Cumberland Church of God for many years. He enjoyed playing his guitar in the church band, playing Bluegrass music, and in his later life, he played with a band that ministered to many area nursing home residents. Mr. Hayes served as treasurer of the Sycamore Tree Senior Center, and he was the executor in charge of the legal dispersing of finances and property upon its closing. Mr. Hayes was known as the "cake man" in Hope Mills, picking up out-dated cakes from area grocery stores and delivering them to nursing homes and the senior center. He willingly made many repairs to the senior center and for area seniors, without compensation, to serve his fellow man.

Many of Mr. Hayes' skills were self-taught and through trial and error. He was very mechanically minded and able to figure out how things worked. After retirement from J.P. Stephens, Mr. Hayes put down water wells and installed sprinkler systems in the Hope Mills area. He enjoyed growing fresh vegetables, and for many summers he gave away fruits and vegetables to the senior center and his church from his large garden. Growing up farming, he enjoyed driving his Ford tractor and planting and watching his garden grow.

Mr. Hayes is the proud grandfather of five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with the sixth one due in August. Mr. Hayes' beloved grandchildren are Jimmy S. McCorquodale, Jr. of Gilbert, SC, Allison Poole Church of Salisbury, NC, Larry McArthur Poole, II of Raleigh, NC, Dr. Zack Hayes of Stedman, NC, and Dr. Jared Hayes of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Mr. Hayes has one surviving sister, Esther Hayes Lucas, of Wilson, NC, and one half-sister, Sylvia Pressley of Lakeview, SC. He is survived by three half-brothers, Ben and Frank Hayes of Lakeview, SC and Billy Hayes of Mullins, SC.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alphia Miller Hayes and Wingate Hayes of Fairmont, NC.

Mr. Hayes loved Christ Jesus and his church, and the family request, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to his church, Rivers of Living Water Church. 1764 Bingham Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304 or Stedman P.H. Church Music Department, PO Box 396, Stedman, NC 28391, in his honor.

Visitation will be at the Rivers of Living Water Church on Bingham Drive in Fayetteville, NC, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p. m., Monday evening, February 3, 2014. Immediately, following visitation the funeral will be held at the church, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be Tuesday February 4, 2014 at 1:00 p. m. at Powell Cemetery in Fair Bluff, NC.