Johnnie G. Hayes was born on May 30, 1947, in Barnwell County, South Carolina. He was the fourth of eight children from the union of Daniel Hayes and Idella Jenkins Hayes. Johnnie graduated from Butler High School in Barnwell, South Carolina. He enjoyed playing varsity football and basketball. He also enjoyed playing the drums in the high school marching band. At an early age, Johnnie joined the Second Mount Olive Baptist Church of Barnwell, SC where he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and received early spiritual training and guidance. Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and regular church attendance were requirements. After high school graduation, Johnnie joined the United States Air Force. While stationed in the Philippines, he met and married Edina Quinao. Through this union he was blessed with two children. After retiring from the Air Force, he and his family settled in Delaware. He worked with dignity, in the food hospitality service, for over 20 years of his civilian life, until his second retirement. Johnnie’s mother, Idella Jenkins Hayes; father, Daniel Hayes; sister, Idella Hayes Jacobs and brothers, Nathaniel Hayes and Henry L. Hayes, Sr., preceded him in death. Johnnie departed this life on September 27, 2020, at the Calhoun Convalescent Center in St. Matthews, SC. He leaves to celebrate his life and mourn his departure, his wife, Edina Hayes of Dover, DE; son, Jayrick Q. Hayes of Washington, DC; daughter, Jennifer R. Hayes of Washington, DC; one sister, Viola Hayes Best (Frederick) of Hopkins, SC; three brothers, Harry Hayes of Williston, SC, Steven Hayes (Grace) of Hopkins, SC and James D. Hayes (Lucille) of Barnwell, SC; one sister-in-law, Doris E. Hayes of Burlington, NJ; one aunt, Evelyn Hayes Williams (Clinton, Sr.) of Charlotte, NC; neighbors, Edith Johnston and Dwight Hicks; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.