Estella Hayes' Obituary
Estella (Marshall) Hayes, 92, of Decatur, IL transitioned from this life into Glory on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. Estella was born on May 5, 1924 to the union of William and Pinkie (McGee) Marshall in Sunflower, MS. In 1944, she married McKinley Hayes. Estella then became the mother to 8 children.
Estella loved to cook and provide care for the elderly and worked many years at a few nursing homes doing such. The last nursing home being Lincoln Manor North, where she retired from to provide care for her own mother, who she had living with her, refusing to put her into a nursing home. Estella cared for her mother until her mother’s passing. Estella also loved the Lord with all her heart and soul. She gave her life to the Lord at an early age and began attending House of Faith COGIC under the leadership of Eld. Fred Warren where she became and served as a Missionary. From there she went on to become a member of Calvary Temple COGIC serving under Eld. Joseph Latchison, and lastly at Miracle Temple COGIC under Eld. John Foster. Estella firmly believed in serving the Lord and her work included: teaching Sunday School, Bible Band, YPWW, leading Testimonial Service, Prayer Warrior, Intercessor, serving on the Mother’s Board, living an exemplary Godly life, and being a witness by talking to anyone she came across about the Lord, whether she knew them or not. Estella’s other passions included: gardening, canning and preserving foods she grew, reading her Bible, listening to Christian broadcasts, being generous by giving and sharing everything she had or was given, and spending time surrounded by family and friends talking, laughing, and storytelling.
Estella leaves to cherish her fond memories: her son McKinley Hayes of Decatur, daughter Lillie (Hayes) Williams-Hunt (David) of Kansas City, MO, son William Hayes of Decatur, daughter Pinkie O’Neal (Hubert Wilbur) of Decatur, daughter Gloria Jones (Timothy) of Joliet, IL, and daughter Frankie Hayes of Cleveland, OH. Sister Meliza Marshall of New York, 20 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, 15 great-great grandchildren, sons-in-law Larry Adams Sr. and Floyd Williams, daughters-in-law Julie Bouey and Darcie Hayes. Special friends Alma Lowery, Annie Mae Green, Dorothy Adams, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Estella was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Emma Williams, Rosie Cotton, Annie Mae Smith, Bernice Perry, and Roberta Robinson, brothers Alex, Melvin, William, A.C, and Roosevelt, daughters Dorothy Mae and Rosie Hickman, grandsons Stevie Hickman and Larry Adams Jr., granddaughter Chilwanna Hickman, son-in-law Willis Hickman, and special friend Jeanette Taylor.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the entire St. John’s 11th Floor HospicePallative Care Staff for their exceptional care, concern, and compassion shown to Estella and the family during her stay there; to the Miracle Temple COGIC church family for their continual concern, prayers, and acts of love; and anyone else who prayed, called, visited, sent cards, or showed any acts of kindness.
Homegoing Celebration will be 11 AM Saturday, January 7, 2017 in Community Temple C.O.G.I.C., 759 S Jackson St, Decatur, IL 62521. Visitation will be10-11 AM Saturday in the church. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.
The family of Estella (Marshall) Hayes has entrusted the care of their loved one to Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur, IL 62526. Send condolences and share memories with the family at www.moranandgoebel.com.
Video Tribute for Estella Hayes: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/PZW49Y6NDYWJQRHY
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