Karen E Hayes

Born December 4th 1954 to Wyatt and Hazel Hayes. Karen was the second of four children residing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She had three brothers - William (Billy) Hayes, Phillip Hayes and James (Jimmy/Jaime) Hayes. Alongside the four Hayes children, she grew up with cousins that became “brothers” and a “sister” - Kenneth Stallworth, Derrick Stallworth, and Valerie Stallworth-Jones.

Graduating from Lady Pitts High School in Milwaukee, WI at the age of 16, she went on to study Nursing and Respiratory therapy at Milwaukee Area Technical College. She worked in the medical field and home health care up until she retired in 2011. Karen went on to have four sons - Lawrence A. Hayes in 1970, Adigun M. Hayes in 1974, Bukata O. Hayes in 1975 and Jared A. Hayes in 1983. She moved to Las Vegas in 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wyatt and Hazel Hayes; brothers, William (Billy) and James (Jimmy/Jaime) Hayes; cousin, Derrick Stallworth; loved ones, Larry Lacy (father of son, Lawrence) and Robbin T. Pearson (Momma Assata); & nephews, Richard L Jones, Amun Bordain and William (Junebug) Hayes.

Karen was a pillar of love, compassion and support in her family and community. She unconditionally loved her four sons, encouraging them to live their life with purpose, passion, faith, family, and love, she often would remind her sons to keep Jehovah in mind as life brought its changes. An abundance of additional “sons” and “daughters” resulted from her joy, optimism and caring demeanor - Xavier Bordus, Shanette (Akua) Bordus, Ayisha Hayes-Taylor, Richard L Jones, Mike Jackson, Tequila (Boo) Jackson, Elijah Jackson, Brandon Jackson, Romell Brown, Courtney Crumble and a plethora of others. She cherished family and friends, never missing the opportunity to get together, enjoy great food, indulge in deep, hearty laughter, and express her love and gratitude for those in her company. She may not have been the loudest person in the room but everybody adored “Aunt K” or “Momma Hayes.”

Sister Karen Hayes was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1985, and remained active in her worship till the end. Her dedication to serving Jehovah was the most important aspect of her life and after retirement she pursued her goal of the full-time ministry. She eagerly spent many hours preaching the good news of God's Kingdom to neighbors, family and friends. She enjoyed many forms of service including the door to door work and “street witnessing”. She often encouraged all to do things Jehovah's way and to pray for guidance. She became an encouraging example of faith and unconditional love in the Glendale and Mequon congregations in Milwaukee Wisconsin, as well as the Lone Mountain and Skye Canyon congregations once she moved to Las Vegas.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed spending time in her garden. She loved to sew, and make her own outfits. She also loved good music and dancing. She would always travel to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Las Vegas to spend time with her sons and grandbabies. She demanded of her sons that they impeccably carry out the task she bestowed to them: ”Take care of my grandbabies!” She cherished family vacations with the grandbabies, who called her “Grammies”, where the family created so many lasting wonderful memories.

She will remain special to so many of us, especially Brothers; Phillip Hayes, Kenneth Stallworth; sister, Valerie Stallworth-Jones; Loved ones, Stephen Courtney (father of Adigun, Bukata, Ayisha), Wesley Hunter (father of Jared); Sons, Lawrence, Adigun & wife - Tanisha, Bukata & wife - Lisa, Jared & wife - Avena; Grandchildren, Chevaliea (Chevy), Kendall, James, Olivia, Omari, Bakari, Damani, Jalen (JJ), Zavier (Biggies), Zuri, Wyatt, Azzurah, Maxim and Alivia (AJ). Such a wide host of cousins, nieces, nephews, spiritual ones that have become “family”, friends and loved ones will cherish the memories of Karen Hayes. Everyone smiles when they think and talk about Karen… to know her, was to love her and be loved by her.

Acknowledgement

The Hayes family is grateful for all the love and support we have received. We appreciate the many comforting messages and other expressions of kindness and caring. We know that Karen was loved and adored by so many. Karen cherished a scripture that hopefully can comfort us all during this difficult time-Revelations 21:3-4 “God is with mankind…death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain be anymore..”