Rita K. Hayes

Rita K. Hayes, 74 of Jacksonville, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside Hospital. Rita was born on September 20, 1949 to Mr. Roy Kile Kelso and Ossie Crews. Rita would graduate high school from Paxon High School and go on to attend Jones College of Business.

Her work history was extensive as she spent time with Liberty National Insurance Company in management and with Lawrence Pharmaceuticals in Jacksonville. She also owned and operated “Fancy Plants Too”, a wholesale plant business with her husband. In her free time, Rita enjoyed cooking and being surrounded by family, especially her children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy “Pop” Kelso and Ossie Leggett; and her sons, Bryan Ferguson and Jamie “Jamie Duke” Stevenson.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years, Robert “Bob” Hayes of Jacksonville; children, Dalton Hayes, Dusten Hayes, David Shawn Hayes, and Deanna Michelle Stevenson all of Jacksonville and Jodi Hayes of Panama City; grandchildren, Christen (Joshua) Eubanks, Wyatt Ferguson, Tyler Ferguson, and Little Bryan Ferguson; great grandchildren, Taylor Eubanks and Winston Ferguson; as well as a host of extended family members.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM in the chapel of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home with Rev. Devin Barber officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Macedonia Cemetery.

A meal of fellowship will be held following the burial at Christian Fellowship Temple.

The staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hayes family during their time of loss.