Juanita Ray Hayes (98) went home December 2, 2023. Born Gracie J. Gipson, July 27, 1925 to Clementine S. Gipson. Nita was raised by her Aunt Callie and Uncle Thomas Ray in New Market, Alabama and graduated from Riverton High School. She married Wesley Frank Hayes (deceased) of Huntsville, Alabama where they raised their children Sarah Elizabeth (Beth) Bledsoe (deceased) and Thomas Frank Hayes.
Nita had a long and successful career at Bell Telephone and then Teledyne Brown until retirement. She was well known as an avid and loyal Alabama fan and attended hundreds of football games. Nita had dozens of first cousins and held them and their families close to her heart.
She was also a caregiver to her “mom”, Aunt Callie. That didn’t prevent her from socializing, cards, reading and research, puzzle solving, family reunions, or spending time with her kids and grandchildren.
Later in life after losing her husband, Nita found love for a second time in James Craig (deceased) and his daughter Kelly Craig. Jim and Nita moved back out to Nita’s childhood home in New Market to spend their later years enjoying their love for the country and God’s nature as well as spending time with Jim’s daughter Kelly Craig.
Nita spent the final chapter of her life in the care of Regency Retirement Village where the staff lovingly cared for “Gracie”. Nita passed away early Saturday morning December 2, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Otha and Callie Sharp Ray, her husband Frank Hayes, daughter Sarah Elizabeth (Hayes) Bledsoe and her husband Garry Paul Bledsoe, her brother Bill Gipson and Jim Craig.
She is remembered and celebrated by her son Thomas Hayes (and wife Patti), her grandchildren Laurie Bledsoe and Garry Ray Bledsoe (and wife Becka), Garry’s daughter Maggie Rae and Jim’s daughter Kelly Craig. She is further survived by Thomas’ stepchildren Michael Schiff and Jeremy Schiff and their children Haylee, Mason, Aiden and Brooklyn.
Visitation will be Monday December 4th 2023 at Spry Funeral Home from 10-11am followed by a family graveside service.
