Cecilia M. Ewing Hayes, 75, of Hillsboro, died on May 4, 2022, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, at St. James Baptist Church in Hillsboro with Pastor Al B. Morgan officiating. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the service time at the church. Burial will be at Bluff Cemetery in Hillsboro. Hough and Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Hayes was born on Nov. 15, 1946, in Little Rock, AR, to Julius Drummond and Victoria Ewing. She married Pastor James R. Hayes on November 23, 1993.
Mrs. Hayes was a graduate of Horace Mann High School in Little Rock AR, and graduated from the University of the Ozarks with her master’s degree. She built from the ground up, owning and operating, International Filter Manufacturing Co. in Litchfield. Mrs. Hayes was a member of St. James Baptist Church in Hillsboro where she was superintendent and teacher of Sunday school for 30 years. She was an exceptional person and a loving wife, mother and aunt. Mrs. Hayes loved children. She also loved reading and was working to establish a library for the church and community.
Mrs. Hayes is survived by her husband; one daughter, Nicole Hayes of Hillsboro; and three sisters Patricia Hightower of Little Rock, AR., Joanna (Mark) Hewitt of Little Rock, AR and Cynthia E. Belinsky of Southfield, MI; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be directed to St. James Baptist Church. Condolences can be left online at www.houghfuneralhome.com.
