Truman Hayes

A celebration of life for Truman Hayes, age 92 of Welch, Texas, will be held Monday, November 4, 2024 at Welch Church of Christ at 11:00 a.m. with Kalith Brown and Kirk Hayes officiating, and Keith Hayes assisting. Burial will follow in Terry County Cemetery, Brownfield, Texas. The family will hold a visitation to greet friends at the church on Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m. All services are under the direction of Boyer Funeral Home of Seminole.

Truman Hayes passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. He has gone to join all the redeemed saints from every nation and every race who are gathered around the throne of Jesus, singing His praises, and was anticipating the joy of that moment.

Truman was the son of Odilla (Mullins) and Chrystal (Chris) Hayes, born March 22, 1932 in Grayson County, Texas. He lived in Grayson and Collin counties until his father was killed in 1942. He then moved to Eden, Texas, where he was a member of the Bulldogs football team that beat Marfa 19-17 in 1949 for the regional championship. He graduated from Eden High School in 1950. He moved to Welch, Texas in 1952 and married Mauriene Coor on May 17, 1953. It was in Welch that he spent the rest of his life as a farmer and minister. He served for 2 years at the Welch Church of Christ as their preacher, and spent many years after holding preaching appointments at several churches in the area while farming full-time. He deeply loved the Welch Church of Christ and served there until his death. He was active in Young Farmers, served on the Dawson ISD board for almost 30 years, and was a huge supporter of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their sports and other activities. He had a passion for prison ministry and spent many years ministering to men in prison. He said if it makes a difference in one man's life, it is worth it. He and his wife were further involved in ministry in Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi, and made numerous trips to Africa in support of these missions.

He is survived by his wife Mauriene, their five children, Keith (wife Melanie) Hayes, Chris Hayes, Vaughn (husband Kalith) Brown, Kirk (wife Susan) Hayes, and Tonya Hayes, 13 grandchildren, and 39 great-grandchildren. Included in these are: Melissa (& Matt) Cox and their children, Kenah & Koy; Jada (& Nick) Shock and their children, Aubryn (& Andrew) Cuellar, Leif, Keirah, Emry, Krae, & Tait; Laurel (& Rob) Warren and their children, Aiden, Adyson, Hudson, & Holden; Brandon (& Shanna) Hayes and their son Karter; Kyla (& Alan) Muns and their children, Ava, Micah, and Preston; Sena (& Daniel) Reese and their children, Addalie, Asher, River, & Ryker; Benjamin Truman (& Becca) Hayes and their children, Braylon, Brooklyn, & Britain; Bridget (& Matthew) Hershman; Kanyon (& Erika) Brown and their children, Brindle, Riggin, and Kap; Ryan (& Justine) Hayes and their children Amelie, Lily, & Rylee; Ashton (& Alex) Orr and their children, Maddox, Sutton, & Beckett; Ty (& Sharlagne) Hayes and their children, Addie, Beth, Charlotte, Andrew, & Emmy; Landon (& Bailey) Brown and their children, Truman and Clara. These all were one of the greatest joys of his life. He is also survived by three sisters, Ruth (husband B.) Shelburne, Verlen Ketchersid, and Mary Chris (husband Doug) Wilks.

He was preceded in death by his father, Chrystal Leo Hayes, his mother, Odilla Vivian (Mullins) Hayes, one brother, Roland Hayes and sister-in-law Wanda; and one brother-in-law, Eddy Ketchersid.

Fond memories of Truman often included his time with his family at "Deer Camp"- a place he took his kids and grandkids for many years. He also loved watching the deer in the cotton fields daily. He was sure to pass on his love for popcorn with grape juice, as well as Peanut M&Ms and bubblegum to all his descendants.

Truman shared the love and light of Jesus with anyone he encountered. He had a way of making every person feel valued, and every grandchild thought he/she was his favorite. He boldly proclaimed his love for scripture and for Jesus while in the hospital, even in the midst of terrible pain. His life and legacy will always be remembered and his impact in the kingdom of God cannot be fully measured. As he passed from this life into his eternal home, surely a chorus of voices rang out, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Kenya Church of Christ Children's Home c/o Welch Church of Christ, PO Box 187, Welch, TX, 79377; Namikango Mission, PO Box 16528 Lubbock, TX 79490; or South Houston Bible Institute (SHBI) PO Box 891246, Houston, TX 77289-1246.