Margaret Elaine (Hayes) Bays

Margaret Elaine Bays, 74, of Crossett, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2021, surrounded by her family.  She was born on October 30, 1946, to her parents, James, and Margariet Rea Hayes.  She grew up in Crossett, was a former CHS Eaglette, and a member of the CHS Class of 1964. 

For forty-one years, Elaine worked for the First National Bank of Crossett; during this time, she graduated from The School for Bank Administration at the University of Wisconsin and eventually retired as the Vice President of Bookkeeping and Data Processing in 2013.

Along with being a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the United Way, and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Elaine was Treasurer of Ladies at Work and a member of the First Baptist Church of Crossett.   She adored her church family, especially her Sunday School Class, “Loving Care”, and was considered a dependable prayer warrior by many.

Her infectious smile and outgoing personality could instantly light up any room.  She treated everyone with genuine love, including strangers, and was always looking for ways that she could help anyone who may be in need.

Elaine was a prim and proper lady who felt complete while wearing pink clothing garnished with beautiful sparkly pearls. She was also a lady who regarded dessert as the most important course of the meal, often insisting on having orange sherbet to soothe the palate.

Elaine was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and best friend, but most of all, she was a child of God.  Her courage, strength, and faith in Jesus Christ shined bright, especially during her darkest days, and the lives she touched with her testimony will forever be changed.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, John Earl Bays.  Her survivors include one daughter, Angie Haynie, and husband, Kenny, of Crossett; one son, Jimmy Woods, and wife, Kristie, also of Crossett; one sister, Pat Rawls of Prairie Grove, AR; five grandchildren, Stan Haynie (Katie), Ryne Haynie, Damien Moyers (Lyndsey), Ashton Woods, and Nicholas Akers (Kim); eight great-grandchildren, Courson, Camila, Axle, Ryder, Maibry, Will, Rylan, and Paxton; along with her step-children, John Bays, Jr., Joe Bays (Pam), Beth Beavers (Brian), and five step-grandchildren, and one step great-grandchild.

A Celebration of Life Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, at Crossroads Cemetery, with Pastors Jamie Staley and Lyle Hern officiating.  Pallbearers are Casey White, Buck Boger, Brian Holt, Lance Mercer, Scott Gulledge, Chris Collins, Carl Sivils, and Chris Posey.  Honorary pallbearers are Ernie Thompson, Alan Jackson, and Roger Williams.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Crossett or the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary in her honor.

Medders Funeral Home is complying with the CDC and the Arkansas Governor’s mandates regarding funerals and visitations and asking everyone to practice social distancing and refrain from any physical contact.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Those that are considered high risk, running fever, or have been recently exposed to someone positive with COVID-19 are encouraged to stay home to protect themselves and others.

The service will be live-streamed on the Medders Funeral Home Facebook page for those wishing to attend the service remotely.

If live-streaming is not possible, a video recording of the service will be available for viewing when uploading is complete.

A downloadable service program will be available at the bottom of this page on the day of the service.

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