Essie Norris Hayes died overnight Saturday, November 21, 2020.  Dr. Hayes lived in the Lynnwood neighborhood in North Wilkesboro until declining health prompted her move to Rose Glen Manor in September. 

Good care from kind people helped sustain Essie’s spirits but her body gave way to osteoporosis, heart disease and other challenges of age three weeks past her 93rd birthday.

Dr. Hayes invested in the people of Wilkes over more than four decades. She was devoted to public education as an eighth grade, high school and Wilkes Community College teacher.  As school board member and chairman, she wholeheartedly led the successful 1990s campaign for Wilkes middle schools.

Essie was a Watauga County native, a 1947 Cum Laude graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College where she later earned her Master’s degree in education.  She earned the Doctor of Education degree from Nova University while continuing her community college career.

Essie was one of eight children born to Jonathan Wilson Norris and Edith Maxwell.  Jonathan and Edith, and 7 of their 8 children, all were public school teachers for at least part of their careers.  Governor Luther Hodges honored Essie’s Norris family as the North Carolina Education Family of the Year in 1957.

Essie’s family and church took even higher precedent than education in her life. She and her husband Commie were active in three Baptist churches of their adulthood, Hinshaw Street, Mountain View and Wilkesboro.  Commie served as a deacon at Mountain View and Wilkesboro and Essie sang in the choir, played piano and organ at Mountain View and taught Sunday School at Wilkesboro.  She is survived by her three children Daniel, David and Sharon and their spouses, Sandra Cleary Hayes, Jane Hayes and Tony Roach.  Essie’s two grandchildren are Adam Roach of Culpeper, Virginia and Erin Hayes-Smith who lives in Charlotte with her husband Caleb Smith.  Her great-grandchildren Isaac and Ruthalee live in Culpeper with their parents Adam and Rebecca.

Essie’s two surviving siblings are Nell Fitzgerald in Indianapolis and Neva Keith in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Her beloved brothers-in-law are Dr. Joseph Fitzgerald, and Alex Keith.

Essie was delighted to be part of a large, energetic, ambitious and loving family with many nieces, nephews and cousins scattered across North America.  She was proud of several “bumps” above the norm on the family tree, such as her connection to the trailblazing Boone family.  Daniel Boone’s father Squire was Essie’s grandfather 7 generations or so removed.

In her final years Essie came to treasure a very special person who unfailingly showed her patience and compassion.  Diane Sweet became Essie’s caregiver shortly after her husband Commie’s death and stood steadfast with Essie as long as she was strong enough to live at home.  They became best friends.   Diane’s mother Eve later added her skill and compassion to helping Essie live at home as long as possible.

As a teacher, disciple, wife, mother, sister, kinswoman and friend, Essie sought to live close to her favorite bible passage, Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

To reduce the risk of Covid exposure, graveside services will be performed 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Scenic Memorial Gardens where she will be given final rest next to Essie’s dear Commie, her husband of 65 years.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621 or Wilkes Communities in Schools, 613 Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.