Debra "Debi" Boyd-Hayes

Debra "Debi" Boyd-Hayes, 68, was born Debra Jean Boyd on April 14, 1957 in Tylertown, MS to Alfred and Billie Jean Boyd(Berry). She was raised in Jackson, MS with her four younger brothers. She attended Oak Forest Elementary and Forest Hill High.

She waited tables at Nick's in her late 20s where she met the late Peter Hayes, Jr. whom she later married at 30, bought a house in South Jackson and had two children (Bennett and Weslea Hayes). Debi then began to drive a school bus while building her cleaning and decorating business. By her mid 30s she had a successful cleaning, decorating, and catering business that she ran single handedly until she retired.

Debi passed away unexpectedly at her home on March 23, 2026 at the age of 68. She was very talented and creative, poetic, and an excellent storyteller. Her love and kindness would warm your soul. She was one of a kind.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred "Fuzzy" and Jean Boyd; Billie Berry; daughter, Weslea-Loring Hayes; brother James A. Boyd; nephew and niece, James Micheal Boyd and Clara Rose Sherman; Ex husband, Peter Whalen Hayes, Jr. Debi is survived by her son, Bennett Thames Hayes; Stepfather, Jim Berry; brothers, Gregg Boyd, Jimmy Boyd(Kathy); nephews Jonathan Boyd, Stuart Boyd, Thomas Sherman; nieces Jessica Bates, Marguerite Duke and numerous other family members and friends.