Deacon Arthur "Pops" Hayes

Deacon Arthur “Pops” Hayes was born February 22, 1928 in Lowndes County, AL to Reotis Hayes and Ella Mae White. He passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2016 at the age of 88 years. Deacon Hayes was a member of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church 26 plus years. During that time he held positions as a trustee, Deacon, usher, church custodian and was a member of the Male Choir and Mass Choir. He was a retiree of GM-Grey Iron Foundry and a member UAW Local #668. Mr. Hayes was also employed at McDonald Pontiac for 26 years until his health failed. Deacon Hayes leaves to cherish his memory, two daughters, Claudia (Willie) Hale, Birmingham, AL and Michelle Flowers, Saginaw, MI; three sons, Cornelius Hayes, Gary, IN, Jody (Letysha) Flowers, Summerville, GA and Clifford Flowers, Chattanooga, TN; 21 grandchildren; 30 plus great-grandchildren; 11 sisters, Cherrie Dixson, Alline Cook, Ann Cook, Mildred (Curtis) Gooding, Julia (Eugene) McGill, Maggie (Mark) Davis, all of Montgomery, AL, Nellie (Willie) Caldwell, Callie McCray, Bessie Smith, Julia Hayes and Christine Washington, all of Letohatchee, AL; nine brothers, Fred (Hazel) Cook, Cleveland, OH, Roland (Mary) Cook, Mack (Ada) Cook, both of Saginaw, MI, Eyre (Addrean) Cook, Montgomery, AL, Leroy (Waddie) Cook, Prattville, AL, Roger (Annie) Hayes, Willie (Emma) Hayes, Artis (Jessie) Hayes and Murphy (Debbie) Hayes, Alma, MI; uncle, Tom (Helen) Patterson, Chicago, IL; niece, Carrie Dillard; sisters-in-law, Elaine Cook, Saginaw, MI, Rebecca Hayes, Lowndes County, AL and Mary Cook; brothers-in-law, Clint Thomas, Lowndes County, AL, Charles Smith, Letohatchee, AL and Luvorn Caldwell, Battle Creek, MI; god-children, Diontae Laury, Serenity Montgomery, Jatwon Blacksher and Celia Perkins; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including a special friend, Mary Arrington of Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reotis Hayes and Ella Mae Cook; his wives, Florence Hayes and Margaret Hayes; four brothers and five sisters; his children, Hattie Thomas, Floyd Thomas, Louis Thomas, and Reotis Hayes; great-grand, Donesha Bulger. The family would like to express special thanks to, Dr. Rama Mulpuri and staff, St. Mary’s of Michigan 6 ICU and 6 North and staff, Messiah Missionary Baptist Church family and a very special thank you to the Dillard and Cook families. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, 2615 Williamson Road. Pastor Otis Washington will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Friday from 2:00-8:00 p.m. Family hour from 6:00-8:00 p.m..

Deacon Arthur "Pops" Hayes

February 22, 1928 - July 31, 2016