Carol Short Hayes

Carol was raised in Hamlet, NC and moved back the last few years. Her childhood dream was to become a nurse, and her mom used this to her advantage. For instance, when Carol wouldn’t eat her vegetables, her mom would say, “Nurses eat vegetables,” and she would gobble them up!

She was a majorette at Hamlet High School and voted Homecoming Queen. Graduating Watts Nursing School in Durham began her lifelong journey to serve others. She wed Harris Hayes in 1959 and they set off to start their lives together in Raleigh, NC. She worked at Dorothea Dix Hospital and soon started her family. A job opportunity opened elsewhere for Harris, so they continued their life adventure in Charlotte. She worked labor and delivery at several downtown hospitals.

Carol was instrumental in bringing the Lamaze natural childbirth method to Charlotte and was named Lamaze Teacher of the Year at the national convention. This changed the trajectory of her career. She founded the Lamaze Childbirth Education Center and taught classes in the Charlotte, Pineville, and Monroe areas. She fulfilled her life’s purpose helping mothers bring their babies into this world with confidence and great joy. She celebrated thousands of births over the years. Later in her career, while continuing to teach Lamaze, she worked as Infection Control at two skilled nursing facilities.

Carol was a dedicated mom and a dedicated servant of her church. She taught children’s Sunday School at Commonwealth Methodist Church and was in several Women’s Circles. She later attended Central Church of God and Hickory Grove Baptist Church.

She is predeceased by her parents, James Rudolph Short and Agnes Kidd Short, brother Robert Madison Short, and her husband of 55 years Manley Harris Hayes. She is survived by her brother, James “Jim” Rudolph Short, Jr. (Jeanne). She is also survived by her sons Michael (Cindy) and Darryl (Lucinda), daughter Melinda Allen (Mike), five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Respecting COVID restrictions, there will be a livestreamed Celebration of Life Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 11:00 from Apex Funeral Home, 550 W Williams Street, Apex, NC 27502. You can view the livestream at apexfuneral.net. (Click Recent Obituaries. You will see the link at the end of Carol’s obituary).

A brief graveside service will be held at 2:00 at Mary Love Cemetery in Hamlet, NC. Social distancing and masks will be observed.

Flowers are welcome. Donations to Transitions LifeCare Hospice are encouraged. Please see the donate link below or their address is 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.

https://video214.com/play/mTwZ1S6xxQuRXXqfS5hhNQ/s/dark