“To have known this Woman of God was a gift for a lifetime. Her life of love and service to others will never be forgotten.”
Deacon Annie Lee Jones Hayes received her beautiful wings as she journeyed to her new home to reside with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, February 18, 2024.
Born on May 23, 1938, at 508 Appomattox Street in Norfolk, Virginia, she was the youngest of the late Jerry Jones and Daisie Jones McClees. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rudolph Hayes Sr., her son, Rudolph Hayes Jr., her brother, Jerry Jones Sr. and sister, Daisie Vermell Jones Harrison.
Annie Lee was educated in Norfolk Public Schools and proudly graduated a year early with the Class of 1955 from Booker T. Washington High School. She was presented as a debutante with the Class of 1955 and also was a member of a social club that included all her closest girlfriends which lasted for several years. After high school her passion was to become an educator and she enrolled in Norfolk State University when it was known as “Little State” to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. She went on to meet the love of her life, Rudolph Hayes Sr. and they married December 30, 1956, and from this union were two children, Rudolph Hayes Jr., affectionately called “ Nugget” and Angela Kay Hayes.
Her early years of employment included The Norfolk Ford Plant and then several years as a paraprofessional (teacher’s aide) with Norfolk Public Schools where she assisted with educating children in elementary school and working with some of the most dedicated teachers including one of her “besties” and closest friends, Anne V. Bunch. This love for helping children continued for a lifetime.
Annie Lee was a devoted and dedicated lifetime member of Mount Zion Baptist Church for 70 plus years where she accepted God’s calling to become the Office Administrator in 1977 and worked tirelessly until she retired in 2007. Although she officially retired, it did not stop her from continuing to give her all to this church. She will be noted as having an impeccable record of service and did everything for her church but preach (smile). If you needed an answer day or night about Mt. Zion, all you had to do was ask Annie Lee (smile). Her many years of unwavering service includes serving as a faithful Deacon until her illness in August 2022, Deaconess, President of the Moses Reid Usher Board and Hospitality Committee and chair/co-chair of Women’s Day and Unity Day. She was a member of or worked on committees with so many organizations including but not limited to the New Pastor Selection Committee, Centennial Church Celebration, Pastor’s Advocacy Committee, Adult Missionary Circle, Busy Bee Circle, Red Hat Organization, Food Bank Ministry, Culinary Committee and Voices of Mt Zion.
The church will forever be grateful for the huge fundraiser program known as the annual “Sweetheart Banquet” held every February for decades where the children of Mt Zion would dress up in their red attire and display their many talents. We know the church and community will miss her keen sense of creativity and array of talents that she possessed.
Annie Lee loved her friends and classmates and was a devoted and dedicated President of the BTW Class of 1955 Reunions with the first being their 10th in 1955 and the last being their 60th in 2015. Also, she organized and started their class Prayer Breakfast that was held for many years with the first being held at Mount Zion Baptist Church.
The love she had for her entire family and friends will be with them for a lifetime. Her infectious smile, giving and nurturing spirit, intelligence and array of talents will be imbedded in our hearts forever. Left to cherish her beautiful memory and carry on her legacy are loving and devoted daughter, Angela Hayes Howard, loving and devoted son-in-law, Eugene N. Howard, her 2 heartbeats, the grandchildren, Shaquille O’neal Howard and Kayci Che’Lee Howard, Godchildren, Audra L. Bunch and Elder Kevin L. Blount, brother-in-law Clifton Hayes Sr. (Carolyn), sister-in-laws, Margie Juanita Hayes Sneed (Norris) and Argentina Rogers. Also left behind are many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends, and last but not least, her fur babies, Tiki and Remy.
Angie, Eugene, Shaquille and Kayci would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the following for their special acts of love, kindness and generosity displayed during our dear Annie Lee’s illness starting August 29, 2022. Her loving, devoted and dedicated nieces, Phyllis Blount, Pamela Spruill, nephew, Glen Harrison, godchildren, Audra Bunch & Kevin Blount, her in-laws, Clifton and Carolyn Hayes and her “sidekick/bestie”, Anne Bunch and her husband Leon Bunch, lifelong friend, Dorothy Norfleet and friend Leon Knight for all that you did to assist for the past 18 months. It made her burdens and struggles a little bit easier as well as ours. She was always happy to see all of you and her beautiful eyes would light up whenever a male was in her presence (smile).
If we missed anyone, charge it to our minds and not our hearts because we truly thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
To Dr. & Mrs. Carl Sherrill and the entire Mount Zion Baptist Church that she loved so much, thank you so much for your prayers, cards, flowers and gifts of love. We know that you loved her, and she was always happy to see her pastor and his wife!
Perhaps you sang a lovely song or offered a silent prayer. Perhaps you sent a floral arrangement as your way of saying “We Care.” Perhaps you came and sat with us to console our aching hearts. Perhaps you sent text messages or heartfelt sympathy cards, deeds, kind words or get-well cards, we thank you so much, whatever the part.
Condolences(14)-
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The Brown Family’s says
February 23, 2024 at 5:26 pmMy Condolences to the Family. She will be miss so much. She was a sweet passionate person. I call her Auntie that the love ❤️ I had for her. She always gave good advice. I’m gonna miss her beautiful smile sitting in the front row of the church. I love ❤️ you and you will be miss. 😢😢😢
Charlayne. White says
February 26, 2024 at 12:14 pmMy Condolences goes out to the Hayes family so for the loss of your Mother she was a sweet and beautiful woman of God I will never forget the love she shared with me and so many other my prayers are with you always Angela lossing a mother is not easy my prayers are with you 💔😥🙏❤
Charlayne. White says
February 26, 2024 at 12:23 pmSorry for your loss of your Mother 💔😥
Charlayne white says
February 26, 2024 at 12:15 pmMy Condolences goes out to the Hayes family so for the loss of your Mother she was a sweet and beautiful woman of God I will never forget the love she shared with me and so many other my prayers are with you always Angela lossing a mother is not easy my prayers are with you 💔😥🙏❤
Charlayne. White says
February 26, 2024 at 12:24 pmSorry for your loss of your Mother 💔😥
Gracie Butts says
February 27, 2024 at 6:02 pmShe was a kind lady. Sending condolences to the family.
Robin Spruill says
March 2, 2024 at 9:32 amA phenomenal woman and we will always love you and the family from Estella, Robin, and little Robin. SpruilI.,Chatman. We are sending our condolences to the family.
Cartheinia Penn Gross says
February 28, 2024 at 8:45 amTo the family of Mrs Annie Hayes. I will remember Mrs Hayes for her bright smile, classic good taste in her appearance, and kind demeanor. She remained a lifelong resident of Appomattox Street, Berkley and known for her devotion to her church. The type of Christian spirit she exhibited is sometimes difficult to find in today’s world. She leaves a wonderful legacy for her family. With deepest sympathy, from another longtime Appomattox Street resident, Cartheinia R. (Penn) Gross
Dennis Howard says
February 29, 2024 at 10:15 amAngie and family, I sadly offer my sincere condolences on the death of your beautiful mother, mother-in law, grandmother , aunt etc. I’m praying that God continues to bless you all.
Kayci says
March 1, 2024 at 4:38 amI love you granny. I will never forget you my sweet baby. <3
Felcia says
March 1, 2024 at 11:10 amMy prayers are with the family! Praying for your comfort during this time. Love Felica “Pookie” Howard & Family
Michael Mckee says
March 1, 2024 at 3:06 pmMy Deepest condolences to Angie family and friends,Ms.Hayes was a very very good Lady,nice as could be every time I saw here in a store or anywhere I made it my point to go speak to her and shared a few words with her.R.I.P. MS. HAYES
Tamara Yates says
March 1, 2024 at 5:17 pmI send my deepest condolences and prayers to you and your family. I knew Mrs. Hayes from us going to the same stylist, Kanisha. She will be truly missed. 💐
Anne Boone says
March 1, 2024 at 6:54 pmA “Pearl of the Community” ….. “Assignment Completed”
Condolences from the Berkley Historical Society…
Anne Boone, Neighbor and Friend
P 757.628.1000 • F 757.545.9148