Geneva Hayes, 91, passed away at home surrounded by loving family on July 12, 2019. Mrs. Hayes was born in Evansville, TN to Willard and Della (Perry) Henderson, on July 8, 1928, the fifth of six children. She accepted the Lord as her Savior while attending her country church. She grew up in rural Tennessee until the love of her life swept her off of her feet and asked her to marry him. Geneva married John Robert Hayes on August 23, 1946 in Lafayette, Georgia. They moved to Michigan for John's work and made their home in Detroit. Their first child, John Ronald, was born in 1951; followed by their daughter, Diane Elizabeth in 1962. She avidly enjoyed cross-stitching and cooking. She made hundreds of cross-stitch pieces for friends and family. Geneva loved children and cared for many throughout the years. As a family they were long-time members of Temple Baptist Church in Redford. In 1997 and 2003 she excitedly welcomed her two grandsons who became the apples of her eye.
On July 31, 2006 she had to say good-bye to her loving husband of sixty-years. As her health continued to decline, she made her home with her son and daughter-in-law. Upon entering hospice approximately a month ago, Geneva accepted as her mission to contact friends and relatives to insure that they had been saved and would meet her in heaven. Geneva said, "When I get to heaven, the first thing I want to do is look into my Saviors eyes and worship at His feet." She and John are reunited, never to be separated again.
Geneva is survived by her son, Ron (Brenda) Hayes; daughter, Diane (Eric) Chernenkoff; grandsons, Matthew (Kaleigh Evans) Hayes and Ethan Chernenkoff. One brother, J.B. (Dorothy) Henderson and many nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her parents and husband, Geneva was pre-deceased by siblings, Milittia (Clifford) Vincent, Samuel Willard (Mabel) Henderson, Jr., Bessie (Perry) Rector, Ruby (Ralph) Hayes.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 West Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152, Pastor David Hughes and Pastor Jason Crandall officiating. Friends may visit on Friday, July 19, 2019 from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi, MI.
Memorials in Geneva's name may be made to Heartland Hospice, 3840 Packard Road - Suite 260, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 (800) 690-6643
Please share a memory of Geneva with her family at her online guest book.
Her favorite bible verse is: Psalms116:15 "...precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."
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