Viola Beard Hayes (Vi), passed away on May 13, at Heritage Home in Knoxville, TN. She was 88 yrs. old and four days short of her 89th birthday. She was born in Tuscaloosa, AL on May 17, 1935. She went to high school in Troy, AL and lived at the Alabama Baptist Children’s home. In high school Vi excelled in music, athletics and glee club. She served as secretary of her high school 4H Club. She attended Howard College (now Samford University) and was active in beauty pageants. She was voted “Miss Howard College” and competed in the Alabama State Beauty Pageant in 1957. In 1958, she was named “Miss Freedom” and she reigned over the Veterans Day luncheon, opening the program by singing the National Anthem.

She was a voice major and had a beautiful soprano singing voice. She performed solos at many churches throughout the south. Vi also enjoyed duets and trios with two of her sisters. Vi and her twin sister Vicki, sang on the Troy, AL radio station when they were teens. She was in choral groups throughout her life, performing in operas, plays, and musicals. Vi was a member of the Howard Collage A Cappella choir.

Vi worked as a Salesperson in her adult life and was very successful. Her charm and sales ability was outstanding and she won Salesperson of the month numerous times. (She could sell Christmas trees in January!)

She loved music, crafts, sewing, and gardening and made the best cornbread ever! Vi loved watching her football games, especially the New Orleans Saints, the UT Vols and the Tennessee Titans! Her greatest love was for her four children. There is nothing she would not do for them! She was a devoted Mother, friend, sister and aunt and was loved by all who knew her!

She was preceded in death by her six siblings. It was always like her to be “fashionably late” to the party. Survivors include her four children, Malinda (Greg) Kilgore, Donna Lynn Hayes, Charles Howard Hayes, Jennifer (Jose) Acosta; Seven grandchildren, Micah (Pili) Kilgore, Graham (Jana) Kilgore, Charley (Danny) O’Neill, McKenzie (Kate) Kilgore, Kaitlyn Acosta, Andrew Acosta, Khloe Acosta, and ten great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, GA. She will be laid to rest next to her Mother, Annie Beard. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Alabama Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries at Alabamachild.org.