Dorothy L. Hayes, 96, of Iuka, Mississippi, died Tuesday, August 27, 2013, at Southern Magnolia Estates in Iuka. Prior to returning to her home town of Iuka, Miss. in 1973, Mrs. Hayes had previously lived in New Hope, Ala., and Guntersville, Ala. She was a member of Harmony United Methodist Church, and was a Sunday School teacher there and at New Hope United Methodist Church for many years. She was a dedicated Christian and loved to help others. Dorothy grew up as the only girl in the family along with four brothers. Her brothers loved her and enjoyed picking on her, so she learned how to get tough and stand her ground at a young age. As an adult, when it was necessary to stand her ground, she did and made no apology for it. She could get as tough as the situation called for. Mrs. Hayes had a special love for children and always set a good example for them to follow. She also enjoyed gardening and canning vegetables. Growing up in the 1920’s and 1930’s she missed several years of schooling due to lack of transportation, but her favorite aunt, Kate Dean, was a school teacher at Central School and invited Dorothy to live with her so she could attend school. Dorothy also later became a teacher at Central School. Visitation is scheduled for 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 29, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 30, at Harmony United Methodist Church, officiated by Rev. Ronnie Goodwin and Rev. Mary Lou Tickell. Interment will follow in Harmony Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to service time. Pallbearers include Marty Davis, Nick Davis, Matthew Davis, Perry Anglin, Yancy Pounders, and Michael Harwell. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with arrangements. Survivors include one daughter, Sara Hayes of Iuka, MS; one son, Thomas Hayes of Guntersville, AL; one grandchild, Tracy Bond (Jonathan) of Arab, AL; three great-grandchildren, Erika England, Emma Kate Bond, and Mollie Bond, all of Arab, AL; and her friend, Sharon Hayes of Guntersville, AL. She was preceded in death by her husband, Flavil Hayes; her parents, Finch and Nellie Dean Davis; and four brothers, E. L. “Dick” Davis, Elmer Davis, Elam Davis, and Emmett Davis. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Harmony Cemetery Fund, 396 CR 231, Iuka, MS 38852.
