Dr. Joe Frank Hayes Sr.

Dr. Joe Frank Hayes, Sr, 90, born November 17, 1928 in Iva, SC, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2019. Known to many as “the bean man”, he was a faithful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, a dedicated husband, father and family man, a distinguished businessman, and committed philanthropist. Dr. Hayes was the Founding Owner & President of Hayes Food Products, Hayes Star Ranch and he was a long-time member of Locust Hill Baptist Church in Travelers Rest. Dr. Hayes patterned his life by the biblical principle found in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” Throughout his life, Dr. Hayes’ philanthropy has touched many Upstate organizations & institutions including North Greenville University, where he was a lifetime trustee, the Salvation Army, the Boys Home of the South, the Blue Ridge Boy Scout Council, and the Greenville Civitan Club. He also served on the council at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, TX and was an IPTAY Life member at Clemson University. He was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in 1998 by then Governor, David Beasley. Dr. Hayes is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 70 years, Eleanor Laura Smith Hayes; two daughters, Nancy Jane Holcombe and Katina Hayes Riley (Ray); two sons, Rev. Joe Frank Hayes, Jr. (Elaine) and Thomas Richard Hayes, daughter-in-law, Debbie Hayes and a special family friend, Betty Jean Dickey. Also surviving Dr. Hayes are 15 grandchildren: Michael Roddey, Jr., Laura Shepherd (Tom), Leslie Brown (Perry), Amanda Thomas (Matt), Deidre Thomas (Josh), Monica Moss (Josh), Sean Riley (Amanda), Rose Anne Marshall (CJ), Thomas Hayes, Jr. (Jennifer), Justin Hayes (Jessie), Christine Hayes, Luke Hayes, Russell Hayes, Grace Hayes and Titus Hayes; and 22 great-grand children: Bryce Roddey, Ava Roddey, Katie Grace Roddey, Seth Whelchel, Jamie Whelchel, Eli Whelchel, Lillie Brown, Joanna Brown, Will Brown, Meg Brown, Rivers Thomas, Walt Thomas, Ruth Thomas, Charles Thomas, Ashton Moss, Addison Moss, Hudson Moss, Georgia Riley, Billie Marshall, Roc Marshall, Rorke Marshall, and Lainey Mansfield. Dr. Hayes was predeceased by his parents, Alonzo Bryant and Annie Mae McGill Hayes; a son, Dr. David Clyde Hayes and his brothers and sisters, William Abner Hayes, Frances McMahan, Don Hayes, James Hayes, Madge Merritt, Bertha Arial and Jack Hayes. A service to celebrate the life of Dr. Joe Frank Hayes, Sr. will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Locust Hill Baptist Church. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. The entire Hayes family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to their private home health care staff and to the staff of Crescent Hospice for the wonderful care provided to their Dad. Memorial donations may be made to: North Greenville University, P.O. Box 1892, Tigerville, SC, 29688, Locust Hill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 759, Travelers Rest, SC 29690 or Starr Baptist Church, P.O. Box 137, Starr SC 29684. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Howze Mortuary of Travelers Rest.

Dr. Joe Frank Hayes Sr.

November 17, 1928 - January 16, 2019