Betty Jean Hayes

Betty Jean Messer Hayes, 84, lifelong resident of Bradley County, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at a local healthcare facility.

She was born September 18, 1931, to the late William Alvin and Mary Elizabeth Womac Messer. She retired from Coles Drug Store (Revco) after 30 years of service. She served as a volunteer at Bradley Memorial Hospital in the gift shop and attended New Hope Primitive Baptist Church. She was a descendant of pioneer settlers of White Oak Flats (now Gatlinburg) and the areas of Cataloochee and Greenbrier in what is now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Thomas Hayes; brother, Wayne Messer; sisters, Judy Messer Frost and Berneida Messer Finnel; three infant siblings; grandson, Ryan Hayes; paternal grandparents, Louis “Doc” and Louthenia Whaley Messer; and maternal grandparents, Robert Elder and Martha Morgan Womac.

Survivors include her sons, Steve Hayes of Florida, Barry Hayes and wife, Cathy and Alex Hayes, all of Cleveland; sister, Martha Messer Beck of Cleveland; brother, James “Buddy” Messer of Cleveland; six grandchildren: Dustin, Wendy, Courtney, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Jacob; three great grandchildren, Sabrina, Olivia, and Mason; two great-great grandchildren, Sarah and Camdin; two step grandchildren, Chris and Casey; and four step great grandchildren, Celsie, Mason, Brady and Addy.

The funeral will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 in the chapel of Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Kenny Isbill officiating.  Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens.

Her family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Hayes family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.