Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Virginia Hays

Virginia Waller Hays, 92, of Gurdon, died Thursday, February 10, at Twin Rivers Health Center in Arkadelphia.

Born April 30, 1912, she was the eldest of three children of Wiley Ben and Ruby Slayton Waller.

She grew up in Prescott, attended Prescott High School, Galloway College and graduated from Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia. An enthusiastic and dedicated teacher, her teaching career spanned more than 40 years, most of which was at Okolona Public School and later retiring from Gurdon Public School. She never lost her genuine childlike zest for life, even after many years of retirement.

Her faith and church work at Gurdon Presbyterian Church were an integral part of her life. She possessed a remarkable relationship with her three grandchildren, celebrating birthdays, holidays and everyday activities of reading and playing games. Quality time and personal attention were priceless gifts she so freely and joyously gave. She loved and appreciated the simple yet beautiful and complex aspects of nature, the trees, birds and flowers were a daily delight for her.

For many years she enjoyed the association with friends through her bridge club, the Gurdon Garden Club, the Kadohadacho Service Club and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, William Hays, who was a lifelong Okolona farmer; also a brother, Ben Waller of Longview, Tex.

Survivors include: one son, William "Mack" Hays and his wife Sarabeth of Arkadelphia; one sister, Molly MacKown of Silverthorne, Colo.; three grandchildren, Molly Pruss and her husband, Fred of Little Rock; Jim Ed Hays and his wife, Shannon of Gurdon and Julie Hays of Arkadelphia.

Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2005, in Rose Hedge Cemetery in Gurdon, with Pastor Daniel Kirkpatrick officiating. Burial was under the direction of Horne Funeral Home. Visitation was at the funeral home prior to service.