Johnny Lee Hays

Johnny Lee Hays, 65, of Poplar Bluff died Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at St. John's Mercy Medical Center, in St. Louis. Mr. Hays was born May 23, 1943, in Qulin, Mo. He attended Qulin United Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church, in Dexter. Mr. Hays had worked for Missouri Department of Transportation, in Qulin where he served as Maintenance Shed Foreman. In 2001, he was injured in a work related accident. In 2003, he retired after 34 years of service. He was a member of the Four Mile Masonic Lodge 212 AF & AM, in Campbell, and the Scottish Rite and the Association of Retired Missouri State Employees. He also served with the Missouri National Guard. Mr. Hays enjoyed carpentry, woodworking, electrical work, plumbing and shopping. On Aug. 20, 1967, he married Diane Haman, in Poplar Bluff. She preceded him in death on Oct. 21, 1996. On March 20, 1999, he married Charlotte Limbaugh, in Dexter. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Russell John Hays, of Cape Girardeau and David Alan Hays and wife Amy, of Naylor; and a grandson, Jacob Hays; sister, Ronda Smith, of Cape Girardeau; and brother, Steven Hays, of Independence, Mo. His parents, Julius and Glenda (Pendegrass) Hays also preceded him in death. Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel. Burial will be at the Qulin Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the United Gospel Rescue Mission, P. O. Box 924, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.