Rev. James O. Hayes

People ask who I am. They wonder where I'm coming from. My claim is always the same. A keeper of the flame.

On one amazing day, May 13, 1940, a son was born to Bennie Hayes, Sr. and Aurelia James Hayes. They named him James Odis. He attended East Prairie Bernard Elementary School and graduated from Hungerford High School.

James accepted Christ at an early age, later in life on November 7th, 1982, he became an Ordained Minister under the leadership of the late Rev. Jackson Banks, Sr. He started farming for the late Henry and James Hlavinka in the 1960's until 1999, retiring due to a having a stroke.

In 1967, James was united in Holy Wedlock to Margaret Cook-Hayes. They made their home in East Bernard, Texas.

On December 30th, 2021, at 3:00 a.m. James departed this earthly life to his eternal home in heaven. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, mother and father, five brothers, four sisters, and three grandchildren.

He leaves to cherish his memories; two sons, Pierre Hayes (Naomi) and Martin Hayes, both of East Bernard, TX; one god-son, Charles Cook of Weimar, TX; two daughters, Tracy Hayes and Marjorie (Ann) Hayes, both of East Bernard, TX; two god-daughters, Sara Givens of La Grange, TX and Antoinette Johnson: three sisters-in-law, Marcella Cook-Johnson of Weimar, TX, Ester D. and Gladys Williams, both of Houston, TX; 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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