DILLON - Mary Francis Hayes passed away peacefully at her home, with her family present, on Wednesday August 22, in Dillon, SC. She was 88.
Born in Greenville, SC, she was the daughter of the late Francesco and Carmella M. Fazio, both natives of Italy. She graduated from Parker High School, received a B. A. degree from Furman University in 1944 and her law degree from The University of South Carolina School of Law in 1947. After her marriage in 1947 to her law school classmate, Joseph Trus Hayes, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Hayes established a joint law practice, “Hayes and Hayes” in Dillon, SC. Mrs. Hayes practiced law for 64 years and remained an active member of the Dillon County Bar and SC State Bar throughout her life.
Mrs. Hayes was a member of the St. Louis Roman Catholic Church and was a lector, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee. She was treasurer of the Dillon House Restoration project and had served on the Dillon County Theater Board and McLeod Hospital Board. When her children were in school, Mrs. Hayes enjoyed being a Cub Scout den mother and assisting with the Girl Scouts and the Dillon High School Marching Band. Her hobbies included reading, crossword puzzles, gardening, and traveling. Mrs. Hayes wrote for her 50th Furman reunion that among her favorite things was going to work everyday.
Her husband preceded her in death. Surviving are three children, Joan Hayes Rocha of Dillon, SC, Joseph (Sandra) T. Hayes, III of Wake-Forest, NC, and Mary Jean (Austin) Behan of Winston-Salem, NC; three grandchildren, Paula R. Hayes, Jack (Hala) R. Hayes, and Joseph Benjamin Hayes; and two great grandchildren, Leo Sami Hayes and Zeina Francis Hayes. She will be remembered for her quick wit, intellect, love of music, and independent spirit. She will be deeply missed by all of those who knew her and loved her.
The funeral Mass, officiated by Rev. Rick Jackson, was held Saturday, August 25, at St. Louis Roman Catholic Church directed by Cooper Funeral Home in Dillon. Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic Church, 207 East Roosevelt Street, Dillon, SC 29536 or to the charity of one’s choice.
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