Muriel M. Hayes

Muriel Marian Warner Hayes was born on February 2, 1928, in Jacksonville, IL to Arther Chester Warner and Delcina Glover Warner. Muriel accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Emory Baptist Church in Jacksonville, IL. Muriel received her education in the Jacksonville school systems. After graduating, she attended Brown Business College.

Later, Muriel met and married her former husband, John E. Hayes Jr., which, in that union, two children were born, John E. Hayes III and Muriel Yvonne Hayes (Bonnie). The family later moved to Indianapolis, IN, embarking on a new adventure.

Muriel obtained her job in manufacturing at Western Electric. After being given what was considered a man’s job, Muriel, with her quiet spirit, perseverance, and strong determination, excelled in that position and helped break barriers for women in the workplace. After thirty years of service and hardly missing a day, Muriel retired.

Muriel was very active in her community. She was a Girl Scout leader, an active member of the Riverside Civic League, and an inactive member of the Order of the Eastern Star Purity Chapter 51. She was a loyal member of Ebenezer Baptist Church and rarely missed a Sunday. She loved her church and her church family.

Muriel always put God and family first. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking. She also enjoyed watching baseball, attending her grandchildren’s basketball games, and riding her bicycle. She was an avid Checker player, who constantly outplayed her son, even in her illness. She loved to travel with her daughter. She enjoyed fashion and interior decorating.

Muriel was a diva and stood the test of time. She did not stop wearing heels until the age of ninety-two. She was the matriarch of our family and will be greatly missed.

Muriel was preceded in death by both parents, sisters Deltha Walker, Margaret Williams, and Mildred Wilson Holt. She leaves to cherish her memory her son, John E. Hayes III (Brenda), and daughter, Muriel Yvonne Hayes, her grandchildren, Donyale A. Dupree (Rich), John E. Hayes IV, Kia M. Harrington (Harvey), great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Servant of God, well done thy glorious warfare past, the battles fought, the race is won, and thou art crowned at last. – Submitted with Love