Irvin Lee Hayes
June 6, 1927 ~ January 20, 2012
NASHVILLE - Irvin Lee Hayes, age 84, passed away peacefully Friday, January 20, 2012. Born June 06, 1927 in Nash County, he was the son of the late Clarence Hayes and Elsie Howell Hayes. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Anna Louise Hayes and Eunice Hayes Brown; two brothers, Clarence “Junior” Hayes, and Charles Edward Hayes.
Irvin spent over 30 years as a firefighter for both the Rocky Mount Fire Department and the Arlington County VA Fire Department. He continued his service to others by joining the staff at Johnson Funeral Home in 1989 where he quickly became everyones friend. He never met a stranger. Irvin continued his work in the funeral profession at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Weedie Hyde Hayes; two daughters, Alta Lea Hayes (David Hinz) and Kathy Johnson Shepherd (Wayne); three sons, Irvin Dwight Hayes (Mary), Barry Scott Hayes, and Stephen Johnson (Pam); ten grandchildren, Jeremy Smith, Nathan Smith, Matthew Hayes, Timothy Hayes, Kerry Hayes, Christopher Lee Shumate, Devan Shumate, Julia Baker, Teresa Shepherd, and Chris Shephard; and four great-grandchildren, Stephen Baker, Sarah Eubanks, Jesse Cabel, and Iliana Warner. Irvin will also be remembered by his brother, Robert Hayes (Jo Ann); sisters, Frances Watson (Al), Jeanette Moseley (David); brother-in-law, Harold Brown; sister-in-law, Ann Hayes; numerous nieces and nephews; and the many special friends that Irvin made over the years.
The family will receive friends and family from 7:00pm to 8:30pm Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home. A service to honor Irvin will be held at 2:00pm Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jason Gault and Rev. Steve Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Tuesday 1/24, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Service
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Wednesday 1/25, 2:00 pm
Cemetery
Forest Hill Cemetery
350 North 1st Street, Ext.
Nashville, NC 27856
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Greg and I are so sorry to hear about Irvin..he was such a special man! He will truly be missed by everyone that knew him..Irvin never met a stranger, he approached people like he had known them all of his life…Kyle remembers all of times that Irvin picked him up from school and how much that meant to him..We loved Irvin and we love you too Weedie! Greg, Luanne and Kyle
Lit a candle in memory of Irvin Lee Hayes
Irvin was such a special person & a friend to all. He never met a stranger. It was a honor working with him at Wheeler & Woodlief. You will be missed by all of us.
Lit a candle in memory of Irvin Lee Hayes
Lit a candle in memory of Irvin Lee Hayes
I will miss your big smile and warm hug! Give my grandma a kiss for me. Love you Uncle Irvin! 3
We will miss you Uncle Irvin Jeff Hayes
I was Mr. Hayes paper boy for several years back in the 1980s. Back then, we personally went around to each house and collected the subscription dues. I would always look forward to visiting him because he would always have some encouraging words to say. After growing up and starting a family of my own, Mr. Hayes would sometimes see me out in the yard during a visit to my mom and dad’s house. He would stop by just to talk and see how everything was going. I have very good memories of him and of my childhood every time I drive by his house and I know he will be missed by his family and friends. He was the kind of man that made a positive impact in the life of his paper boy with just a few encouraging words. I can only imagine the impact he made in the lives of others and I know he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this time together. John McAuley
Irvin was a very special man. He was such a people-person, loved everyone, and everyone loved him. To Weedie, my cousins, and the rest of the family I know you are going to miss him; we all will. But he is at peace now. Remember the good times. Love you all, Brenda
Irv was a special person who served his brother Firefighters as Asociation officer. Always went that extra mile to help his peers! My condolences to the family.
Lit a candle in memory of Irvin Lee Hayes
Ervin you were so special to me your smile brighten my day and i always look forward to the little things you would tell me my sisters said just joking now i know you are in that perfect place no pain ally laughter you will fit right in love you your friend always sherrill
Irvin was a fun, kind and loving uncle. I always enjoyed it when we were little and he would stop by the house or when we would see him at family get-to-gethers. He liked to tease sometimes and got a kick out of funny things the children would do.He always enoyed hearing Mama (his sister) tell stories about the things her children and grandchildren had done. I say that because even a few months ago he brought up and laughed about my son’s episode with Grandma Eunice’s cat…which happened about 30 years ago.Even though we nieces and nephew are grown and several have moved to diferent places, Irvin always asked about us. Each time I saw him, he would call my children by name and ask about each one…that meant alot to me. I cannot even picture Irvin without a smile…and I know he is smiling now. I love you, Uncle Irvin…see you later…
I will always remember the kindness and love Uncle Irvin showed to our family. Along with my sisters Barbara and Joy, and my brother Tim, we wish Weedie, Alta Lea, Dwight, Barry and all the family, comfort in the knowlege that he is at peace with his Lord. We will always remember you Uncle Irvin…your niece, Pat.
I became a volunteer firefighter in Arlington in 1976. That was when I first met Mr. Hayes. In 1980 I started my career with the Arlington County Fire Department and Mr. Hayes welcomed me to the department. The short time I knew him he reinforced family values, both personal and in the Fire Department community. God Bless Bob Patterson
Lit a candle in memory of Irvin Lee Hayes
Lit a candle in memory of Irvin Lee Hayes
I met Irv in Nov 1962, we were part of Arlington Fire Dept rookie school..Worked with him off and on for over 20 years..We both ended our careers working at Sta 6C.. He was always the true Gentleman …We both worked part-time as van drivers for Co-Op School for Handicapped children in N.Va…As you watched the faces of those kids light up when Irv was around, you knew you were in the presence of a special man…I consider it a blessing in my life having known, worked with and been a friend of Irvin Lee Hayes…..Our thoughts and prayers are with his family for they have truly lost a Treasure… Charlie and Patty Emmons