Corrine S. Hayes' Obituary
Mrs. Corrine Seals-Hayes, born August 28, 1933, in Lucy, Tenn; outside of Memphis, Tenn to Mr. Wesley Seals and Mrs. Samuella (Sam Ella) Peterson-Seals. She answered God's call and immediately moved to Glory, she took memories and left us with memories; this is her story.
She was married to the Late Mr. Frank Hayes, but later divorced. Mother was very protected of her children and would fight a bear, but yet, her children also knew she was a gentle woman with a baby's heart and an Angel's care
Corrine accepted Jesus The Christ at an early age while living in Memphis, Tenn. She lived in Springfield, Il, but returned to Decatur, and while in Decatur mother was invited by Auntie Artist Vinson to Fellowship at Bible Way Pentecostal Church under the leadership of Pastor Mark Bond, then she moved back to Springfield.
Corrine moved to Decatur, Il by way of Joliet, Il. with less than a 3rd grade education and was one of the few African Americans in Decatur, Il who owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store on the Southside, named "Hayes Dairy" originally Kembook Dairy #4. Jackie's friends like to call it "Fannie Grub Club" and the children, now grown, talks about the "Penny Candy" under the plastic. Jackie thanks the St. Mary's Chaplin (Mark) for fellowshipping while waiting for the Coroner; thanks, the Coroner for sharing his memories of the Hayes Dairy Store and remembering Corrine Hayes, Aunt Fannie, and Aunt Ruth.
Mother was the only sibling to surpass the age of 90. Her grandmother Annie Morris lived to approximately 107 and she was still chopping wood at the age of 104. Her father is believed to live into his 90s. After mother was diagnosed with dementia, her daughter Peggy prepared the move, and Jackie moved his mother back to Decatur into a house he owned and that became Corrine's home. He setup 24 hr. care, including his dedicate time to care for her. The journey began...
Sir. JHayes or Mr. Jackie, as he sometimes called, gives thanks to Ms. Jatavia Taylor and Ms. Gloria Johnson for the wonderful care they provided to our mother. Many medical staff complimented on the condition of her skin at her age, but Mr. Hayes made it known those two to be credited as well. Jackie has always checked on his mother, but in her late years he provided continuous cared for his mother for approx. 15 years until Mother went Home to Glory.
Also, the family thanks St. Mary's PCP's, Molina's Case Mgr.'s, Starting Point, and Dr. Jeanelle Norman for her personal support to Sir Jackie. Thanks to Ilisha West and Alicia Ligon for their cakes and love, his second cousin Shureda Casterberry and Pamala Kennedy for their help with events, first cousin Rita Curry, assisting on a few road trips; e.g. Gatlinburg, Tn, NY, Ohio, etc. for mother to see her family, and also too many to name, but Jackie thanks ALL those for their prayers, kind words and deeds, and their love for Jackie and Mother Corrine, nicknamed by her brother Willie Seals, "Copal"
To honor and share her memories, Corrine is survived by her daughters, Linda M Seals (Buffalo, NY); Jane L. Seals (Memphis, Tenn); Peggy J Smith (Joliet, Il); JoAnn Vinson (Decatur, IL); her sons Jackie Hayes (Decatur, IL); Billy D Hayes (Bonita Warren-Hayes) Iowa and a host of 17 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Her baby brother, Henry James Seals aka (Cap Seals)
Corrine is preceded in death by her maternal Grandparents, Jasper Seals and Annie Pierce-Morris and Samuel Peterson and Johnanna Turner; parents Wesley and Samuella Peterson-Seals; son Harry David Seals; Siblings Willie Seals; Fannie M Seals; Mary E Smith; Charlie Seals; Ernestine Seals-Brown; Wesley Seals Jr, died at birth; Unnamed Baby Seals, died at birth; Martha M Seals-Phillips; and two cousins she often spoke about Mrs. Ella Mae Alexander of Millington, Tenn, she owned and operated a Cafe' and Mrs. Lovie Lee Harris of Buffalo, NY who loved to cook family dinners; and Willie (Ruth) Mae Jones, family/friend by way of marriage and was one of mother's store clerks
Mother, one day, all of those who are a member of the Body of Jesus Christ will stand at the feet of Jesus where there is no sunrise or sunset. We will sing and dance and REJOICE. Allelujah, Amen🙏🏿
A procession from Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St, Decatur, IL, with a horse drawn carriage will begin at 10am, Friday, April 4, 2025, with a Homegoing service at 11am, at Greater Northside Baptist Church, Pastor Jimmy Waddell, officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Macon County Memorial Park.
What’s your fondest memory of Corrine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Corrine?
Share a story where Corrine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Corrine you’ll never forget.
How did Corrine make you smile?