Coco was born 27 Feb. 27, 1923 in Laredo, Texas, to James Vernon Proffitt and Josephine Courtney Slaughter Proffitt.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Ross Hays M.D.
She is survived by Elise (“Lisette”) Courtney Hays Markham and her husband, John Winston Markham; Jack Ross Hays and his wife, Cynthia Weese Hays; and grandchildren, Carter Courtney Elise Markham Webb and her husband, Michael Webb, Courtney Catherine Elizabeth Markham and Elizabeth Courtney Hays.
Coco was an artist and philanthropist, known for her work in watercolor. She was a founder as well as being active in the Eastern Shore Art Association and Bay Rivers Art Guild.
She graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree from Newcomb College, and pursued her love of watercolor, traveling to Paris, China, Japan, San Miguel D’Allende, Mexico and to the Ghost Ranch, home of Georgia O’Keefe.
She often traveled with her husband to participate in Christian medical missions in India, Africa and South America, including the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. She was a founder of Casa Des Amigo.
Being trained as a singer, she was involved with the Mobile Opera Guild.
She was also known for her support of H. Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University and the University of South Alabama.
She loved being in her garden among the camellias and azaleas. She was a member of the Garden Club of Montrose, the Montrose Historic Preservation Society, Fort Conde National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames of the XVIIth century, the Old Mobile Society and FaHera.
Most fondly, her dear friends maintained their close ties through “The Marching Society” for more than 50 years.
She was active in St. James Episcopal Church for 18 years as a lay reader, teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. Later years belonged to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne.
The family wishes to recognize and thank the angels who have provided loving care to their mother so that she could remain at home: Emily Crook, Loretta Tucker, Mary Hollis and Tracy Reed.
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Montrose on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 10 a.m., with a gathering in parish hall at 11. Interment will follow in Montrose Cemetery.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Daphne.
