Florence Hayes (nee Scott) was born on June 24, 1933 in Omaha, Nebraska. She was the youngest daughter of James and Della Scott. Florence was the fourth of seven children. She departed this life for her heavenly home on November 23, 2019.
Florence accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Omaha. She attended Long Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1952. She met the love of her life, Truman, after his discharge from the United States Army, in 1955. They married on August 25, 1957 and raised their three children in Omaha.
During the early years, Florence devoted her love and attention to her young family. For Florence, children held a very special place in her heart. She began volunteering, in her spare time, as a teacher’s aide at Fontenelle Elementary School. Florence later obtained a permanent position with Omaha Public Schools, working as a secretary at McMillan Jr. High School. She also spent summers working with children with special needs. In 1996, she retired from OPS after over 20 years of dedicated service. In this same year, she and Truman relocated to Greenville, Texas. Shortly after their arrival to Texas, Florence and Truman joined First Baptist Church, Hamilton Park, where Florence remained a devoted member until her death.
Florence touched so many lives throughout her 86 years. Her kindness, generosity and loving spirit were limitless. Whether it was a hug, a few kind words, or a beautiful smile, she always knew exactly how to uplift and encourage everyone she met. She will be dearly missed.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Truman; parents, James and Della Scott; brothers, James Scott, Leonard Scott, and Leo Scott; and sister, Betty Wells.
She leaves to cherish her memory, two sons, Randall Hayes (Deborah) of Atlanta, Georgia and Ronald Hayes (Tiphanie) of Allen, Texas; daughter, Valerie Hayes of Baltimore, Maryland; three grandchildren, Bryanna Hayes of Princeton, Texas, SSgt Ismael Hayes of Valdosta, Georgia, and Imani Hayes of Atlanta, Georgia; sister, Clara Gilreath of Minneapolis, Minnesota; brother, Chester Scott of Lake Forest, Illinois. Florence is also survived by her nieces, nephews, a host of other family members and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 7, 2019 at The First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park, 300 East Phillips Street, Richardson, Texas. Interment will follow on Monday, December 9, 2019 at 11:15 a.m. at Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.