Thelma Jean Reaves Hayes, 93, departed from this life on September 10, 2009 to be with her heavenly father. She is now at peace in the presence of the Lord. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. for visitation prior to the 3 p.m. service at Crestwood Memorial Funeral Home in Gadsden. Burial will be at Crestwood Memorial Mausoleum, with Rev. William (Bill) Caudle and Rev. Les Anderson officiating.
Thelma was born on Christmas Eve, in 1915 to Hattie Lee Ora Duke of Powder Springs, GA and James Clarence Reaves of Anniston, AL. Born the youngest of five, having two sisters and two brothers. She was a legal secretary and bookkeeper employed in Anniston and in Montgomery until she moved to Texas. She returned from Texas to Tuscaloosa, AL in the 1950's and later took up residence in Gadsden, AL. She was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Gadsden.
She was preceded in death by her husband Rufus L. Hayes on November 19, 1996.
She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Taylor and her husband Earl Ramon of Jacksonville, AL; a grandson, James Michael McAllister, his wife Kimberly, and a great grandson, Zachary Lee McAllister all of Burkville, AL; a sister Louise Honeycutt of Anniston, AL.
The family would like to offer their feelings of gratitude to the nurses and assistants at Gadsden Health and Rehab for their love, devotion and desire to do everything possible to make our loved one comfortable and happy. We also extend our appreciation to the kindness and consideration shown by New Beacon Hospice.
Thelma's journey of life on earth has been completed and she has returned home to be with her Lord. She leaves behind a legacy of faith and love that will forever remain a part of her family and friends. She was a loving mother and grandmother whose memory will live in our hearts forever.