Joyce D. Hayes
Joyce Syers Hayes passed away Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, after a long struggle with Addison’s disease, in Lexington, Ky.
Joyce Darlene Syers, born Oct. 2, 1951, in Morganfield, Ky., was reared in Sturgis, Ky. After she graduated from Union County High School, she attended and graduated from Murray State University. She earned her master’s in education plus 40, including her principal’s license. Her passion for education and children was obvious over her teaching career, which included special education and elementary education in Sturgis, Ky., Corydon, Ind., and Lanesville, Ind.
Benjamin Clinton Hayes and Joyce were married June 6, 1971, at the Sturgis United Methodist Church. They shared their love and life for 39 years before his passing in 2010. They made homes in Murray, Ky., Bellville, Ill. (Scott Air Force Base), where both their children, Jason and Brittany, were born, Sturgis, Ky., Corydon, Ind., and Lexington, Ky.
Education never stopped for Joyce as she never stopped learning about the world around her. She loved life and was full of life. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She always had an open door to family and friends, ready to listen and talk knowledgeably with them about anything and everything under the sun, as she was truly interested in others.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ben; her parents, Sue and Jim Syers; and her brother, John D. Syers.
Joyce is survived by her children, Jason Hayes (Michelle) of San Fernando, Calif., and Brittany Hayes Koenig (John) of Lexington, Ky.; five grandchildren, Bennie, Jazz, Jack, Charlie and Sam; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jane Hancock (Tom) of Huntsville, Ala., Jamie Sue Bloomer (Bryan) of Somerset, Ky., Janice Leake (Jim) of Lexington, Ky., Jacqueline Duncan (Bob) of Lexington, Ky., and Johanna Prins (Rudolph) of Overland Park, Kan.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Darrell Hayes (Hyon Mi) of Blythewood, S.C., Donald Hayes of Henderson, Ky., Jerry Hayes (Phyllis) of Sturgis, Ky., Judy (Tim Clement) of Kansas City, Kan., Charlotte (Andy Wilson) of Burns, Tenn., and Sharon (Cory Hawkins) of Burns, Tenn.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at Sturgis United Methodist Church in Sturgis, Ky. The Rev. Todd Nelson officiated. Burial was in Pythian Ridge Cemetery. Whitsell Funeral Home in Sturgis, Ky., handled the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a breast cancer organization.
