Naomi Hayes

Naomi Smith Hayes was born May 5, 1936 in Butler, GA to the late Leroy and Louise Smith. She was the 3rd of 12 children. Preceding her in death were four brothers; Clinton, Doness, John Henry, and Levi, and three sisters; Betty, Daisy, and Lugusty. She is also the step-daughter of the late Lucille Corbin Smith.

She was married to Marion Brown Hayes (affectionately calledBrown by family and close friends) for 54 years until his death in 2007. From this union, they had three children, Wayne, Shirley and Marvin.  Naomi and Brown left Butler, GA in 1958in pursuit of a better life for their family.

After settling in Philadelphia, she pursued a career in nursing. She worked at Osteopathic Hospital as an LPN for approximately 15 years. In her younger days, Naomi enjoyed traveling. She and her daughter Shirley would just get in the car and go anywhere her heart desired. After her husband’s passing, Naomi moved to her beloved birthplace in Butler. She loved being outdoors and the country atmosphere. Above anything else, she loved her family dearly. In addition to her own children she raised one of her grandsons, Damon and a great grandson, Ashon to whom she was like a mother.

At an early age, Naomi joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Butler (which is now known as the Greater Mt. Zion Community Baptist Church.) Upon moving to Philadelphia, Naomi moved her membership to Zion Hill Baptist Church in Philadelphia where she faithfully served on the usher board for over 25 years until she moved back to Butler, GA.

As a born again Christian, Naomi knew the importance of maintaining strong Christian fellowship and so upon her move back to Butler, she immediately moved her membership back to Greater Mt. Zion Community Baptist Church. She served on the usher board as well as the church’s choir. She enjoyed spending time with her sister Glenda, daughter Shirley and grandson, Ashon.

On Friday, April 3, 2020 in His infinite wisdom, God saw that Naomi was getting weary and called her home to rest.

Naomi leaves to cherish her memory: one daughter Shirley Hayes-Sharp (George); two sons, Wayne Hayes (Felicia), Marvin Hayes (Bernadine); seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Leroy Smith Jr. of Butler, GA; Troy Smith (Barbara) of Philadelphia, PA; two sisters, Helen Wright (the late William) of Philadelphia, PA; Glenda Latimore (Cicero)of Butler, GA, Essie Gipson of Detroit, Michigan and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.