Betty Wright Hayes, 85, of Ocilla, Georgia died Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Magnolia Place in Ocilla, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at Frank Primitive Baptist Church in Irwin County, Georgia, with Elder Edward McIntyre and Dr. Tony Hayes officiating. Interment will follow in the Frank Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services in the church sanctuary.
Mrs. Hayes was born June 20, 1936, in Carroll County, Georgia, to the late G.B. “Bud” & Josie Smith Wright. She was a 1954 graduate of Irwin County High School and attended Banking School in Athens. Mrs. Hayes was Executive Vice President of Planters First Bank, formerly known as First State Bank of Ocilla. She was also a realtor and broker for Link Realty. Mrs. Hayes enjoyed cooking and was known for her pound cakes. She also loved water skiing and shopping. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was known by them as Mama II. Mrs. Hayes was a member of Frank Primitive Baptist Church.
She is survived by her children: Wanda Hayes Bryant of Ocilla, James A. “Tony” Hayes & Marty of Fitzgerald, and Steve H. Hayes & Sue of Baxley; grandchildren: Brandi & Rusty Merritt, Russ Bryant & Ali York, Michael & Kelli Hayes, Cristy & Seth Taylor, Matthew & Whitney Hayes, Jake & Kersten Hayes and Tonya Hayes; great-grandchildren: James Allen Bryant & Taylor, Morgan Bryant, Rylee Bryant, Emilee Bryant, Ellie Grace Bryant, Lauren Merritt, Leslie Merritt, Nicholas Merritt, Slater Hayes, Madelyn Taylor, Mykelyn Hayes, Hayden Tomberlin, Mollie Taylor, Casen Hayes, Canaan Hayes, Hollin Hayes, and Harper Hayes; and a sister, Martha Griffin of Nashville. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James H. “Gabby” Hayes; a great-grandson, Grady Hayes; five brothers: Talmadge Wright, Dirl Wright, Elbert Wright, Lloyd Wright, and Joe Wright; and a sister, Barbara Carver.