Nancy’s Obituary Mrs. Nancy Powell Hayes was a known lover of flowers and gardening. She was known to have the magical touch of anything she planted. From peas, okra and corn to the blooming plants which could be found in her award winning yard.
If she touched it, it flourished. Her seed of life was first planted in Liberty, Mississippi, located within Amite County, in the Jerusalem Community. Her early education began at Jerusalem School.
After completion of elementary, she attended and graduated from Amite County Training School. “Nanny”, as she was affectionately known, met the love of her life, Mack Arthur Hayes at a school play at Amite County Training School. She would smile as she would reminisce about their meeting.
She was the star of the play as a senior in high school and he saw her and told her that when she graduated he would be back for her. On November 15, 1940, Mack remained steadfast to his word and they were married. Because education was important to this couple, Mack Arthur Hayes supported Nancy as she enrolled into Mississippi Valley State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
She began her professional career in the Greene County school system, teaching elementary and remedial reading. She was also owner of Hayes Family Funeral Home, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Nanny loved children, teaching and horticulture.
It was through her love for these things that she was able to cultivate and blossom some of the best and brightest students of her 42 year career. Within the family she was known and revered as one who could bring life back to any plant. This sentiment of reverence was seemingly prophetic as she planted, cultivated and nurtured so many of her children, grandchildren, family, students and friends.
As we reflect, reminisce and rejoice in the life and legacy of Nanny, we are overwhelmed with gratitude. Through her labors of planting and nurturing we find solace in knowing that her cultivating has brought about a life of an abundant harvest. She understood the importance of fertile ground.
Her wisdom proved to be that of rich seeds and her love yielded beautiful blossomed plants and for that we are forever grateful. “The seeds of kindness you plant today, will one day blossom in the hearts of all you touched”. ~Kartrina Mayer She is preceded in death by loving husband, Rev.
Mack Arthur Hayes, Sr.; both parents, Mr. Emerson Powell and Mrs. Lillie Azalee Moore Powell; one son, Mr. McArthur “Tiny” Hayes, Jr.; one daughter, Rev. RoseMary Hayes Williams; five brothers, Mr. Milton Powell, Mr. Alton Powell, Lucious Powell, Mr. Allen Powell, Mr. James Powell; three sisters, Mrs. Reba Powell Williams, Mrs. Isis Powell Johnson, Miss Alice Powell; one grandson, Mr. Theodore “Teddy” Williams, III. and two step children, Rev.
Robert Lewis Hayes and Mrs. Marion Jones. Her growing legacy are her two granddaughters, who were her primary caregivers, Ms. Sonya Williams Barnes and Thea Hayes Williams (Terrence) Black, Ph.D.; a grandson, Mr. Arthur D. (Abigail) Hayes; a granddaughter, Ms. Althea McDonald; seven great-grandchildren, Tyron Hayes, Kenson Barnes, Tyreek Hayes, Thea Emerson Black, Kristyn Jones, Hydia McDonald, Jordyn McDonald and her only surviving sister, Mrs. Ada Williamson; one son-in-law, Rev. Theodore R. Williams, Jr.; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Jeanette Hayes (Edward) Pou, Mrs. Autry Hayes and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends.
A special sentiment of thanks is extended to other individuals who supported and cared for “Nanny”; Mrs. Barbara Bouldin, Mrs. Dorothy Nichols Jones, Ms. Merlene McDonald, Ms. Dianne Jones, Ms. Mittie Johnson, Ms. Vivian White, Ms. T. Deon Barnett, Ms. Annete Tubbs, Ms. Kimberly Joiner Blakely, Ms. Pauline Thomas, Ms. Amanda Encompass Nurse- Ms. Denise Saba, RN and many other relatives, community members and friends.
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