Betty Lou Hayes

Betty spent her life devoted to the nurturing and love of all she cared for and all who had the privilege of making her acquaintance. Her servants’ heart and humble spirit shaped the lives of all who knew her and the lives of the generations that followed her- including her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Betty Hayes was the embodiment of love; warm, nurturing, and unafraid to speak boldly when that is what love required. She was known for her generosity, her slowness to anger and quickness to forgive, her compassion and empathy, her strength, her fast wit, and the twinkle of mischief often seen in her eye with the addition of sly quip into every conversation. She was a woman who loved to laugh, whose door was always open, and whose home was always filled with love, laughter, and merriment- freely given to all who entered. She embraced her “Mountain woman” roots and would often be found flat footing whenever bluegrass music was heard. Her pride of her humble upbringing in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina was evident in her stories and traditions.

Left to remember the precious gift that was her life are her children, Petra Garcia-Jewell (Shawn) and Russell Garcia; the daughter of her heart, Debbie Smith-Tremontana; her grandchildren, Ashley McRae (Justin), Katelyn McRae, Bethany Jewell, Zachary Jewell, Nathan Edmonds, Troy Goodrick(Kourie) Richard Garcia, Alexandra Garcia, and Andrew Garcia; and her great-grandchildren, Elinor McRae, Craig Galligan, Jasper Cooper and Mordecai Galligan.

Though we mourn our loss, we celebrate the years we were able to spend in the love, guidance, wisdom, and tenderness our Mom and Granny so readily and endlessly offered.

A visitation for Betty will be held Tuesday, October 10, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 1621 Emancipation Hwy, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, October 11, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 9149 Elys Ford Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. A burial will occur Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1902 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com for the Hayes family.