Rhonda Medley Hayes, age 56, of Florence, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at her residence after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Mrs. Hayes was a resident of Lauderdale County, a 1976 graduate of Wilson High School and a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her father, Don Medley, father in law, Robert Fielder Hayes, and brother in law, Terry Hayes. Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Danny Hayes, one son, Rob Hayes and wife Nicole, and daughter, Jessica Hayes and friend, Chris Carden. Survivors also include her mother, Opal Medley, her mother in law, Charla Mae Hayes, Brothers Jimmy Medley (Donna), Randy Medley(Cheryl), Keith Medley(Carole), and Sisters, Linda Quillen (James), and Donna Gail Hayes, all of Florence, Alabama. She is further survived by 9 nieces and nephews and 16 great nieces and nephews.
Rhonda Hayes devoted her entire life to her family which was evidenced by “A Mother’s Greatest Masterpiece Is Her Children” monogramed on the wall above the portraits of her two children. While she tenderly cared for her mother, loved her three brothers, the close and extraordinary bond she shared with her two sisters, Linda and Donna Gail was known to all who knew her and evidenced throughout her home. She was a loved and cherished wife, mother, mother in law, daughter, sister, sister in law and aunt. In the remaining hours of her conscious life she received the joyous news that her daughter in law, Nicole, would be having her first grandchild in the Spring and the baby to be born is a little girl.
Rhonda spent her life keeping the babies of family members and friends in her home so that formal daycare could be postponed as her extra care and loving devotion for children was priceless and beyond definition. In fact, she took a job outside of her home only on one occasion at Mars Hill Daycare for a short period of time to continue her watchful care for her youngest nephew until he entered kindergarten. For those parents whose children she kept, she spoiled us all and we will be forever grateful.
Pallbearers will include nephews Jay Quillen, Joe Quillen, Justin Hayes, Lee Medley, John Medley, Jason McDaniel, Dale Davis, Robbie Bunch and Daniel Pope.
Honorary Pallbearers include Great Nephews Taylor, Chandler, and Evan McDaniel, Lane Quillen, Will Davis, Jackson Bunch, and Sam Medley, all of Florence, Alabama.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2014 from 9:00-11:00 with funeral services at 11:00 a. m. at Mt. Zion Church of Christ with burial to follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Officiating will be Bro. Sonny Owens, Bro. Robert Huffaker, Bro. Rodney Rice, and Bro. Jerry Campbell.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Bob Bailey, Dr. Edsel Holden II, the 1st and 2nd floor nurses at ECM, Stacy Wooten and Hospice physician, Dr. Barry Lumpkins, Amedisys, and all those who cared for Rhonda in the final hours of her life.
