A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Joe H. Hays, 91, of Anniston, will be held on Friday, January 13, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Saks at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Todd Stewart will be officiating the service. Burial will follow at Anniston Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to service.

Mr. Hays went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, while surrounded by his loving family.

He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Joyce Hays; his son, Gary (Cheryl) Hays; his grandchildren, Joshua (Crystal) Hays, Zachery (Cara) Hays, Bethany Hays, and Michelle (Brian) de Assis; several great-grandchildren; four siblings, Betty Vice, Errol Hays, Carolyn (Garvis) Lee, and Anita Campbell; a special cousin, Judy (Luther) Quinn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Hays, Zachery Hays, Tyler Ray, Jack Brim, Terry McNeal, and Doug Crow. Honorary pallbearers will be the Deacons of the First Baptist Church of Saks.

Mr. Hays was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Saks where he was nominated as a Deacon more than 45 years ago. He truly lived the life of a servant. Mr. Hays took his calling as a Deacon with the utmost sincerity. He read his Bible daily and continually prayed for others. Mr. Hays spent many days and nights fishing on the banks of the Coosa River with his son and brothers, where Crappie became Friday night fish frys that were complete with coleslaw and hushpuppies. Being best known for his gardening skills, Mr. Hays provided produce and Early Girl tomatoes throughout the years, giving many people the ability to enjoy eating and purchasing his veggies from the Farmers Market in Anniston or in a gift basket from him. Giving countless food items away that he grew, was a part of Mr. Hays’ ministry. He cooked pans of biscuits for his church and also for the Saks High School football teams and giving from his kitchen to others was his second calling. After days at the Farmers Market, what Mr. Hays did not sell, immediately went to the Soup Kitchen in Anniston to help others in need. He will forever be remembered for the generosity he displayed to his family, to his church family, and to widows and widowers alike. Seeing Christ exhibited in Mr. Hays daily life was a blessing to so many and he gave of his talents to serve the Lord he so deeply loved. This is the Joe that we will remember.

The family would like to extend a very special thanks to the nursing staff of Amedysis Hospice and Mr. Hays' caregiver, Terri Williams, for the endless support and care they gave during such a difficult time.