Mary Joyce Hayes

Mary Joyce Hayes went home to be with the Lord on June 17, 2026 from her home in Cairo, Georgia. She was born on February 21, 1941 to the late Mayo J. and Mary C. Moree in Moultrie, Georgia.

She was raised in Quincy, Florida, where she met and married the love of her life, Gwynn Hayes, Sr. and until his death in September, they had been married for over 66 years.

Together they raised four children, Gege Hayes Gamble (Greg), Phyllis Hayes Arnold, MG “Bubba” Hayes, Jr. and Steve Hayes (Bibi). Eight grandchildren: Jonathan, Joy, Jeremy, Trey, Noni, Linny, Jennifer, and Samantha. They had 13 great grandchildren, and three step great grandchildren.

Mrs. Hayes was employed at Citizens Bank in Quincy for over 22 years.

After leaving, she was employed by Dr. Jesse Furlow while continuing her education. After receiving a degree from Tallahassee community college, she was employed by Alltel of Tallahassee, Florida. During that time, she was the Pastor’s wife of New Hope Baptist Church in Tallahassee.

She retired from Alltel when her husband became the pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church where she was a faithful pastor’s wife for 13 years. Liberty Baptist Church was started in 2009 and she remained a pastor’s wife until 2025 and a member until her death.

In her lifetime, Mrs. Hayes was a true lady, always exemplary of the word in every way. She held many titles including, Wife, Mother, MeeMaw, Mimi, Pastor’s Wife, Teacher, and Friend, but was always described as “Godly” before each one. Her husband called her, “the greatest Christian he ever knew” and said he would have never been able to be a Pastor without her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her only sister, Jean Golden. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.