Estelle White Hayes, age 100, was born in rural Perdido, Ala. on Aug. 11, 1915. Our precious angel smiled her way into Heaven on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015.
Born the oldest of eight children to Mose and Mandy Stewart White, the family moved from her birthplace to what would become her beloved community of Rosinton, by way of a Model T when she was 12 years old.
Having only a fifth grade education, she gained her knowledge through hard times, hard work, pure love and her strong relationship with Jesus.
Four years after making the move to Rosinton, she stood by the bedside of her dying mother, promising to forever take care of her twin brothers being born as well as the rest of her brothers and only sister. And she did just that, outliving Buck, Henry, Jenkins, Mosey, William, Willie and Della.
Seven months after the passing of her mother, Estelle suffered severe burns to her body that left her needing medical care for the next year. The scars from this horrific accident were still evident on her body until the day she was forever healed.
Estelle later met and married James “Albert” Hayes, with whom she had four children of her own. Her oldest, Marvin, unexpectedly passed away in 2010. Her other son, Jimmy, died in a terrible accident when he was only 8 years old. Her baby girl, Darlis Jean, only lived 19 hours. Her youngest child (the one baby she was never supposed to have), Christine, still lives on the family land in Rosinton, and has been her angel of a caregiver for the past three-plus years. Albert passed away in 1970.
Estelle lived a life of deep faith in her Lord. Countless times over the years people would call her to have her pray for them or a loved one, and she did so with the type of fervor that was indescribable.
Known for her outstanding cooking, she touched the lives of many children who passed through Rosinton School with what has countless times been described as, “the best rolls EVER!” She loved and cherished her time working at Rosinton, where she did so until she retired at the age of 70.
One never showed up to her house and left with an empty belly if she had her way. She truly loved to cook for and to feed people. There will never ever be another pot of turnips or pan of cornbread made the way she did.
There is no telling how many lives this precious lady has touched throughout her 100-plus years on this earth. I once asked her (in a deep, personal conversation), “Granny, how do you do it?” She responded, “Lynne (what she always called me), pray Psalm 91. Pray it every day and trust in Him and He’ll take care of you. Psalm 91 has got me through lots of hard times in this old life.”
Mrs. Hayes was preceded in death by her parents, Mose and Mandy White; her husband, James “Albert” Hayes; daughter, Darlis Jean Hayes; sons, James Henry “Jimmy” Hayes and “Marvin” Dewane Hayes Sr.; as well as her six brothers and sister.
She is survived by daughter, Christine Hayes Darby of Rosinton, Ala.; grandchildren, Donna Hayes (Ronald) Hinote of Rosinton, Ala., Dewane (Carmen) Hayes of Rosinton, Ala., Darrell Hayes of Rosinton, Ala., Jason (Brenda) Brock of Summerdale, Ala., Melinda Brock (Bo) Boggs of Rosinton, Ala. and J.J. (Chesley) Darby of Loxley, Ala.; 11 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will he held Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 at 10 a.m. from Robertsdale Assembly of God Church, with the Rev. Michael Lynn officiating.
Burial will be in the Old Cooper Cemetery, Robertsdale, Ala.
A visitation will be held Sunday, from 6-8 p.m., at Mack Funeral Home.
Arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, Highway 59, Robertsdale, Ala., www.mackfuneral.com.
