Vester Hayes

Vester Hampton Hayes

Blythe, GA  –              Vester Hampton Hayes, 95, loving husband of 71 years to the late Annie Louise Greiner Hayes, peacefully entered into his eternal rest Wednesday morning, September 14, 2022 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at the Wrens Church of God at 3:00 P.M. Sunday afternoon, September 18, 2022, with the Reverends Mark Joyner and James Shope officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Blythe Cemetery.

Born to the late Mattie Martha Owens Keller and the late Vester Lee Hayes, Vester has lived all of his life in the Keysville-Blythe area. Being on his own and living with his grandparents and other relatives from the age of 13, he was industrious and initially earned money delivering groceries on his bicycle as well as helping his grandfather in his logging business.  He joined the Army after completing the 9th grade, serving in Japan during WWII.  He corresponded with a dear close friend who became the love of his life, marrying her before going overseas.  She, along with his grandfather, uncle and his mother-in-law, brought stabilization to his life. Vester, as a young boy, became fascinated with sling shots and became a master at whittling his own.  A true marksman, he was an expert machine gunner and sharp shooter in the Army and was known for his “eagle eye”.  Upon his return home, he trained as a tile setter, working for Whaley Brothers before venturing out on his own. He worked hard, long hours to make a living and provide for his family. Vester was pretty much of a perfectionist, especially when it came to his trade.  He was known far and wide for his meticulous work, honesty and integrity.  In his spare time and to help feed his family, he loved to fish and hunt.  He still loved making and using his trusty slingshots, and would often give them to his friends.  Vester was a former Mayor of Blythe and a former board member of the Richmond County Board of Education.  A true patriot, he was a 60+ year member of the American Legion Post 150.  Vester was a great story teller—and he had many stories to tell!  In all aspects of his life, he lived it honorably.  He had a great impact on people wherever he went—at his job, in his community, at his church—and was considered to be trustworthy with his word being his bond.  Vester, a faithful, devoted husband, father and grandfather, had an absolute, unconditional love for his family and was most content in their presence. His grands and greats stole his heart and brought him his greatest joy. Having accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, Vester was an obedient servant of God, serving Him for 50+ years at Wrens Church of God. The sorrow and sadness experienced by his passing is great but the knowledge of his being in his Heavenly home, with a new pain-free body, is even greater and gives us much peace and serenity. ‘Til we meet again….

Vester was also preceded in death by his siblings, Martha Mullins, Teddy Hayes, Jesse Hayes and Nathan Hayes. Other left to cherish his memories include his three children, Vester Richard “Ricky” Hayes (Fay), Ronald Lee Hayes (Patricia) and Betty Charleen Hayes; four grandchildren, Richard Joseph Hayes (Morgan), Susan Marie Buttram (Chris), Dana Louise Winter (Jeremy) and Amanda Leigh Wylds (Paul); nine great grandchildren, Brittany Hayes, Haleigh Hayes, Bryson Hayes, Hunter Hayes, Makenna Alley Rollins, Gage Rollins, Kayleigh Winter, Bryce Winter, Macie Leigh Wylds and Hampton Wylds; three siblings, Grace Mysinger (Johnny), Harvey Hayes and Reba Lyons (Charles); nieces, nephews, other extended family, church family and friends.  Serving as pallbearers will be Marty Amerson, Joseph Hayes, Billy Jackson, Greg McDonald, Jeremy Winter and Rusty Winter. Honorary pallbearers will be Bennett Boulineau, Bill Jackson, John May, S.J. McDonald, and Dwight Prescott.

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation are extended to Jill Posey, Dr. James M. Ford, and the staff of Regency Hospice for their loving, compassionate care.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Wrens Church of God Cemetery Fund, 102 Phillips St, Wrens, GA 30833.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Saturday evening, September 17, 2022.