Bobbie Ann Ashby Hayes was born to Gladys Ashby and Jesse Ashby on April the 24th of 1933 in Florien, Louisiana. Growing up during the Great Depression in a rural small town taught her to treasure the little things in life and never take anything for granted. Bobbie’s early years on the farm also taught her how to work hard and never leave a task unfinished - a skill that she carried into her marriage as she and M.E. built their homestead, by hand, in Blanchard, Louisiana.
In 1954, Bobbie married Marshall Eulon Hayes on April 17th. Their love was a special and rare kind of partnership. One that their four children, Marsha, Scott, Steve and Lisa, were able to witness and understand what a Godly marriage is supposed to look like.
Together, Bobbie and M.E. built a life and legacy marked by intentional kindness. Their house was the one that all the neighborhood kids knew they could come to for a warm meal, a cold drink, and a kind word. When they weren’t at home you could usually find the Hayes’ with their church family at First Baptist Church Blanchard. Bobbie and M.E. were not simply hearers of the word, but they were doers. Bobbie taught a Sunday school class for over 40 years, and it was one of her greatest joys in life. When the church announced that they were opening a daycare ministry, Bobbie was one of the first members to get involved. She was so excited for the opportunity to minister to new parents and rock all the sweet babies. For over 20 years she served at the daycare and impacted countless lives in our community.
Despite the numerous highlights of her life, Bobbie endured times of deep sorrow, as well. Her husband was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 52. Then in April of 1984, Bobbie suffered a massive stroke that left her in a coma. But the Lord knew that her family still needed her here, and her impact for the kingdom wasn’t over. She miraculously woke up from that coma without a hint of lasting damage from her stroke. She would always tell us that while she was unconscious, she found herself standing in the middle of two fence posts with a strand of wire in each hand and her husband’s voice telling her that it wasn’t her time yet, that she still needed to stand in the gap. And as she would say, she ‘kept on keeping on’. A few years later, in 1995, her son Scott joined M.E. in heaven after a battle with leukemia at the age of 39. Through every hardship however, Bobbie maintained that God was faithful and that she “could do all things through Christ who strengthened her.”
The remaining 38 years of Bobbie’s life were marked by holding her family a little tighter and a renewed spirit of faith in God’s timing and provision. Christmas Eves and Easter egg hunts throughout the years were held at her house and were full of her beloved children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s laughter. That is until Bobbie invited you to play spoons at her dining table, which was no laughing matter. It would do you well to pay attention if you wanted to leave the game with all your fingers intact! But no matter the location, she could always be found right in the middle of all the memories being made and no family gathering was complete until Bobbie would bring everyone together to thank the Lord for His blessings and open up His word.
Over the years, Bobbie became the bionic woman with both knees, shoulders, and hips being replaced. One of her famous lines during rehab from all these surgeries was “if you don’t use it, you lose it!”
At the heart of everything Bobbie Hayes did was a spirit of humility. While many of her family and friends would claim she was the wisest and most godly woman they knew, she would never have accepted such praise. She was simply a small-town girl that the Lord had chosen to richly bless, and she wanted her savior to receive every bit of praise and glory He deserved.
One of Bobbie’s favorite passages of scripture was Isaiah 40:31: “But they shall wait upon the Lord, and He shall renew their strength and they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Through the very end Bobbie clung to this verse and waited on the Lord to direct her steps and trusted he would renew her strength in his time. Her savior was faithful to do just that, and on March 3, 2022, Bobbie’s faith became sight.
Bobbie Ann Hayes joined in heaven her parents: Gladys and Jesse Ashby; spouse: Marshall Eulon Hayes; son: David Scott Hayes; siblings: Louise Welborn and Loretta Hayes; and nephew: Lavell Welborn.
Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy her children: Marsha and Larry Richie, Dianne Hayes, Steve and Jeanie Hayes, Lisa and Robby Keen; her grandchildren: Jessica and Will Heflin, Matt and Angela Richie, Daniel and Desiray Hayes, Keri and Justin Donaghey, Erin and Scott Funk, Josh and Tori Hayes, Madison Keen, Marshall Keen; great-grandchildren: Micah and Sara Heflin, Ryleigh Schiro, Emerson, Hazel, and Valerie Funk; Lucas and Lochlan Donaghey; Jolee Richie; Jack, Jordyn, and Jace Hayes; Scott, Addison, and Adah Hayes; siblings: James and Sue Ashby, Margaret Helms, Margaret Jane and Hoy Leach. As well as many more great nieces and nephews.
The Celebration of Bobbie’s life will be held Friday, March 11th, at First Baptist Church Blanchard. (201 Attaway Street Shreveport, LA 71107) Visitation will begin at 10:00am with the service to follow at 11:00am. The graveside service will take place in Many, Louisiana at Warren Cemetery (4586 Warren Church Road Many, LA 71449) beginning at 3:00pm.
Flowers may be sent to Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home - Haughton or a donation made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
