Sister Florence Vann Gilmore Hayes

1923 - 2014

Florence V. Hayes, 90, born Dec. 8, 1923, to the late Archie and Martha Frison Vann in Chipley, Fla. made her transition to the afterlife peacefully on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014. She was the only daughter in a household of five boys. As a young child, Florence attended a small school nestled under the bush arbor in the Orange Hill Community and continued her education at T.J. Roulhac High School until graduation in 1942. She graduated in 1946 with her A.A. Degree from the Florida Normal Memorial School in St. Augustine, Fla., and began teaching grades 7 and 8 at her alma mater, T.J. Roulhac School. She attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University during the summer terms and graduated with a B.S. Degree in 1948. Florence loved transforming the lives of children and adults through her untiring, dedicated, community service and leadership in various community and civic affiliations. These included: FAMU Alumni Association of Okaloosa County; Carver Hill Memorial and Historical Society, Inc.; Okaloosa Retired Educators Association; Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Democratic Committeewoman, Precinct #12; Charter member of the Okaloosa County Sickle Cell Association; treasurer of Okaloosa County Family Outreach Program; Okaloosa County Council on Aging/Crestview Manor; OWJC Black Student Union; and Grand Marshall in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration.
She leaves to cherish her memories three daughters, Mrs. Tonsiaweda Hayes (Sanford), Ms. Sandra Madison of Virginia Beach, Va. and Rev. Delta Outley of Columbus, Ga.; three sons, Mr. Shannon Devon (Ann) Hayes and Mr. Jimmy (Natterlene) Gilmore of San Mateo, Fla.; brother, George (Alma) Vann; 18 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Service for Sister Florence Vann Hayes will be held Monday, Dec. 8, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church located at 603 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Crestview, FL. Sis. Hayes will lie in repose at Macedonia for viewing from 9 to 10 a.m. prior to service.
Family visitation will be held Sunday Dec. 7, 2014, from 5 to 7 p.m. at McKinnie Funeral Home Chapel located at 398 MLK Jr. Ave. Crestview, FL.
Interment will follow in Orange Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Chipley, FL.
In lieu of flowers charitable donations can be made to one or all of the following in memory of Sis. Hayes: Macedonia MB Church, New Life MB Church both located in Crestview, Fla., and Abundant Life located in Columbus, Ga.