Juanita Woods Hayes

JuanitaWoods Hayes, 93, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend departedthis life peacefully on Monday, May 23, 2016.

Juanitawas born on May 29, 1922 to the union of the late James and Hattie (Griffin)Woods in Sunflower County Mississippi, Dockery Place, of which she spoke fondlymost of her life. Her family moved to Brazil, Indiana where she spent her lifethrough High School. After High School, she moved to South Bend, Indiana whereshe met and married James Louis Hayes. Following their marriage and hisenlistment into the military, they moved to Washington DC.

Juanitawas a believer and follower of Christ. She confessed her faith very earlyin life and she remained a faithful and devoted Christian all her life. She shared her faith and she influenced the lives of countless people by theway she cared about them and the way she lived her life. She was a proud member of Shiloh BaptistChurch in Washington DC where she sang in the choir. When she returned toIndiana to care for her mother, she eventually found her church home and sangin the choir at Covenant Community Church.

Juanitaworked for the law firm of Crumpacker, May, Levy and Searer and for SenatorBirch Bayh before going to work at Howard University for the Dean of the Law School and theDean of the School of Religion. She later retired from Howard University.

Havinga life-long passion for learning, Juanita received a Bachelor’s Degreefrom Martin University at the age of 75. She went on to receive herMaster’s Degree at the age of 80.

Juanitahas always shown a deep interest in music. She began taking voice lessons earlyin life which prepared her for a life of music expression. On twooccasions she was invited to sing internationally, first at cathedrals in Romefollowed by churches in South Africa.

Herpassion for children was her life's work. She was given a vision tocreate a foundation so that children are exposed to the very besteducation beginning at preschool. Through that passion, her vision to establish"The Grass Is Green" was realized. Her family will continue herlegacy.

Devotedfamily members who survive to cherish her memory include two daughters BrendaBurke (Anthony), Audrey Wathen (Austin), three grandchildren Erika Marks(John), Monica Goodwin (Carl), and Aaron Smith; five great-grandchildren TylarMcNulty, Don McCraig, Caitlin Goodwin, Caleb Goodwin, and Maya Marks; niecesSheila Holmes (Melvin), Eileen Hayes, Carolyn Gadlin (Jeffery), Robert Sanders(Kim), Joyce Sanders, Anita Coles, and Ronald Woods, along with many dearcousins and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Precedingher in death along with her parents were her brothers Roy Woods and CharlesWoods.

ACelebration of Juanita's life will take place on Friday, May 27, 2016 atCovenant Community Church, 5640 Cooper Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46228. Theviewing will take place from 11:00 – 1:00 with Homegoing Service at1:00 PM. Please share an online condolence or memoryof Juanita at www.flannerbuchanan.com