Marian Elizabeth Hayes

Marian Elizabeth Cole Hayes, 88, went to be with our Lord on June 15, in Warren, Arkansas. Marian was the youngest of eight children born to John William and Zilla Castleberry Cole. She came into this world on May 8, 1924. Marian graduated from Jonesboro High School in the "War Class" of 1942. She met her future husband, Irv Hayes, while he was stationed at Walnut Ridge. During World War II, she worked as a legal secretary in Jonesboro. She married her "soldier boy" on August 16, 1945, in her mother's home. In April 1952 she and Irv moved to Hot Springs, where she worked as an executive secretary for Arkansas Bank and Trust (Regions Bank). Her last position at ABT was the fourth floor manager for several businesses. During her married life, she visited 31 U.S. states and Niagara Falls. After her retirement she began a volunteer "career" at St. Joseph's Mercy Medical Center. She was a "pink lady" for several years, and she amassed over 1600 hours of service. Marian's retirement years were filled with Bible studies, senior activities at Hot Springs Baptist Church, family gatherings, watching her grandchildren grow, and traveling. She was a member of Second Baptist Church until she and Irv left to become charter members of Hot Springs Baptist Church. She stayed active in her church until illness kept her away. Marian was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 52 years, Irving "Irv" Hayes; five sisters, Ernestine Cole, Jewell Redd, Edith Schwieter, Alma Lou Knott, and Lois Wallace; and two brothers, Fred Cole and John Allen "Bud" Cole. Marian is survived by a daughter, Karen Anne (Kari) Martin and husband Marty Martin; two grandchildren, Jeffrey Christopher Martin and Tarah M. Pamplin and husband Robbie all of Hamburg; and two great-grandchildren; Ashlyn Marie Murrell and Bryson Hayes Selby; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Gross Mortuary on Saturday, June 23, at 1 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m., with Rev. Shane Roberson presiding. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are the staff of St. Joseph's Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Kerry Pennington, the staff of Wagon Place Nursing Home in Warren, and the deacons and staff of Hot Springs Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to the Hot Springs Baptist Church. Guest register at www.grossfuneralhome.com.