Helen Bernice Hayes

Bernice Hayes went home to be with her Savior on Saturday, 26 July, 2014. She was home in Cedarville, Ohio when she left this life. That's where she wanted to be. Helen Bernice Berentsen was born on 24 November, 1928 in Prairie Farm, Wisconsin. She was the 7th of eight children in the family. She loved growing up on the farm. She loved her sisters and brother very much. She was happy helping Mamma and Papa with all the animals and chores around the farm. She was always happiest when she had family around. Bernice married Glenn Hayes, of Chariton, Iowa, on 7 April, 1956. Their first son, William, was born on 28 January, 1958.vTheir second son, Brian, was born on 3 January, 1960. Bernice worked outside of the home after the boys went to college, but she was full time wife and mother until then - and very happy in that role. Glenn's job took them from Iowa to Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts and finally, Arkansas. They lived in Little Rock longer than anywhere else - from 1978-1999 (when Glenn passed away). Bernice stayed in Little Rock until 2004 when she moved to Cedarville to live with Brian. Bernice was in love with God, Glenn, her boys and her family. Everything she ever did was proof of that. She could routinely be found reading her Bible, when she wasn't busy cooking, cleaning, helping at church, or picking up kids whose parents didn't attend church, for Sunday School or AWANA. She loved to make dinner for college kids or single people who came to church, so they would get a good meal and fellowship at the Hayes house. Whenever there was a missionary or guest speaker at church, they stayed with Bernice and Glenn. She loved that. Right to the end of her life, her values and behavior were consistent. When she couldn't get around very well anymore, she surrounded her chair with the things that were important to her: her Bible, a radio so she could listen to her favorite speakers, devotionals and periodicals from several ministries, and cards and letters from family. Much of her day was spent reading and re-reading those treasures. When Sara and her family or Bethany would come to visit, she would talk about it for days. Being around family gave her great strength. There were few moments that her mind was clear during the last weeks of her life. One such moment, was July 8th. When asked if she knew what day it was, she immediately responded, "Daddy's birthday". She always called Glenn, "daddy". She said, when she got to heaven, she was going to "hug and kiss on him". She still had a handle on the important things........right to the end. I imagine the transition from Ohio to heaven was very smooth and very, very sweet for her. She asked many times over the last weeks when she could go to heaven. When told that was in God's hands, and He would know just the right moment to call her home, she said, "Isn't that special?" She said that a lot. Yes, it really is special. She's probably hugging and kissing on daddy right now.......and walking straight and tall.......and running like she loved to do when she was little......and basking in the presence of the One who saved her. Bernice is survived by her sons and grandchildren, Sara (Phil) Nanney, Bethany, Neal and Erin (Daniel) Kloosterman. She is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Claire Nanney and her brothers in law, Paul Pellet and Bob Whitman. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her sisters, Beatrice (Michael) Cooper, Ragna (Walter) Skille, Burnette Lyons, Jennie Pellet, Ruth Berentsen, and Violet Whitman and brother, Clarence Berentsen. A viewing will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday with the funeral following at 1 p.m., Thursday, 31 July 2014 at Forrest Hills Funeral Home in Alexander, Arkansas with Pastor Cody Calhoun and Celebrant Diane Gardner officiating. Entombment will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park. Please share your memories of Bernice at www.griffinleggett.com.