Individual Details
John Haralson Hayes
(February 6, 1934 - July 11, 2013)
FAG 113707889
"The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" - July 13, 2013:
Dr. John Haralson Hayes, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Emory University, was born Tuesday, February 6, 1934 in Abanda, Alabama to Mattie and Will Hayes. John had five brothers, Gene, Pfifer, James, Jack, and Roy and one sister, Frances. After graduating from Five Points High School in 1952, John earned a BA from Samford University in 1956 before earning his BD and PhD degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1960 and 1964, respectively. He also studied at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland on a Fulbright Scholarship. Throughout his distinguished career as a Professor at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, John contributed significantly to the study of the Old Testament, and his publications, which include such works as Biblical Exegesis, Amos, the Eighth Century Prophet, and Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation, are internationally acclaimed and taught in universities around the world. In recent years, John added two creative and favorably reviewed works to his long list of published texts, If You Don't Like the Possum, Enjoy the Sweet Potatoes: Some Principles for Travel along the Road of Life (2010) and his recently-published semi-autobiographical novel, Abanda. Of Possum, journalist and public commentator Bill Moyers wrote, "There's more wisdom in these pages than in an airlift or convoy of fortune cookies. John's take on late-night comedians and the news is alone worth the modest price he's charging for opening our eyes and ears to some good ol' truths from the school of hard knocks." John's wisdom extended far beyond his classrooms, where he was adored by generations of students he often entertained on his Alabama farm, to his many other roles. He loved his three children, Heather, John, and Megan, with all of his heart and will be dearly missed by all of them. John also leaves a brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Freddie Hayes, cousins including Jerry W. Coggins and Karen Bledsoe, and many, many close friends around the world, whose lives he touched in his own community as well as in his travels across America, throughout Europe and the Middle East, and to Africa. John was known for his great wisdom and humor, which he was able to share with almost anyone due to his fluency innumerous languages, and he could captivate an audience of any size and makeup. John was a leader in the Five Points Baptist Church, where he frequently preached sermons, and was close to the congregation. He also had a way with children and acted as a beloved uncle figure to his friends' and relatives' kids. His fishing pond, hay barn, and petting zoo were always open. Nowhere was John's gentle nature more apparent than in his treatment of animals. Over the years, he amassed an eclectic assortment of dogs, cats, and cows, each of whom he treated with kindness and respect. Because he spent many long nights tending to his cows and fostering ailing or orphaned calves, it seems fitting that his last conscious memory involved his walking into his pasture with his birthing kit, surrounded by his docile herd, most of whom knew their names and were tame enough to ride. John's passing on July 11, 2013, after a peaceful last night spent with his loving family and friends by his side, paralleled the closing lines of his final essay: "And when on our day the sun has set, let us pray that the darkness be not long delayed, that short will be that evening journey into night. And may that night kiss us softly on the cheek, and embrace us tenderly in its keep." The world is a much better place as a result of John's too brief presence in it, and his legacy will continue through the many people and creatures whose lives he has greatly enriched. Funeral services for John Hayes will be held Sunday, July 14, 2013, at 11:00 AM EDT from the Five Points Baptist Church. Dr. Carl Holladay and Dr. Max Miller will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends, Saturday afternoon from 4:00 PM EDT until 6:00 PM EDT at McCarthy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations are asked to be made to Chattahoochee Humane Society, 3265 Fairfax Bypass, Valley, Alabama, 36854, (334) 756-9377, www.chatthumane.org, in Mr. Hayes honor. For online condolences please visit our website at www.mccarthyfuneralhomeinc.com. Services have been entrusted to McCarthy Funeral Home, West Point, Georgia.
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"The Randolph Leader" - July 17, 2013:
John Hayes Gave His Best To Life - by Penny Pool.
The pretty little country church where John Haralson Hayes preached his first sermon and taught his last Sunday School lesson was the perfect place to say goodbye to a much beloved man.
He was brilliant. He was a character, and that came through in an absolutely lovely funeral attended by locals and people from across the country, underscoring what an incredible full life this man had.
Dr. Carl Holladay and Dr. Max Miller, formerly fellow professors at Emory University's Candler School of Theology and fellow co-authors with him, preached a life-affirming message at Five Points Baptist Church.
I met him when I was assigned to do a story on his latest book "If You Don't Like The Possum Enjoy The Sweet Potatoes", quite different from his scholarly books.
It took maybe 10 minutes before I realized what a unique person he was and how fortunate I was to meet him. I ran into him here and there and when he occasionally taught Wednesday night services at First Baptist Church in Roanoke.
One of the comments I really loved in the service was that many people live in a black and white world but through Hayes' influence their world was turned into colour. It was abundantly apparent during the service he had affected people's lives far and wide.
Born in Abanda and a graduate of Five Points High School, he went on to earn many more degrees before and after his distinguished career as a professor. He is credited with contributing to a new look at the Old Testament that was groundbreaking. It was noted he always had an open door and an open heart.
But the man who returned to White Plains to farm was a simple man who lived a simple life and loved animals, including his blind dog who traveled in the eat beside him.
A story told at the funeral was of him being pulled over after someone called law enforcement and said he was weaving all over the road. When pulled over he said he was driving with one hand and rubbing his dog's belly with the other one.
Someone at the standing-room-only funeral told me a week before he died he told someone when he died he wanted to go to Heaven from his pasture. From his lips to God's ears.
A friend and member of what I think of as The Breakfast Club, Wyner Phillips, said the RODEO Breakfast Club (Real Old Dudes Eating Out - although women were included) became concerned when he did not show up. He always called and let them know if he wouldn't be there, Phillips said. But he didn't call.
When Martha Shepherd told her husband Lester, he had not come to breakfast Lester went to check on him in White Plains. His vehicle was there, his house was open, but no John. Lester found him unconscious in the pasture, flagged down a passing vehicle and got them to call an ambulance.
Phillips said John had 60 cows and had named them all. Like pet dogs each would come when he called it by name and he petted them. Apparently, he had delivered a calf and put it in the calf pen. On his way back he had the stroke and fell but was still breathing when Lester found him. At East Alabama Medical his family took him off life support and sang him a song. He lived 12 more hours.
That is the kind of fight he had throughout life as he had a playground sense of justice and didn't hesitate to speak up.
As the people who loved him followed the bagpipes to the nearby cemetery I thought of "Country Roads, take me home to the place I belong."
So much of his life was wrapped up in that church. He joined his parents in the cemetery.
John Hayes belonged everywhere he went around the world, and he influenced many people preaching today. He spoke at least six languages, including Hebrew. One of the pallbearers, who shed tears, had come in from Washington state to see his old professor laid to rest.
Concluding the church service, some of Hayes' words of wisdom were read from his possum/sweet potato book:
"Let's try and make the most of our existence. Let's give it our best, appreciate its every moment, and enjoy it to the fullest. Let's live with honesty and integrity so we won't stagger through the twilight of our days with a heart clogged with remorse. We should live life by what is right, not by what we can keep out of sight.
"When we leave live behind, may we be able to do so with no regret and no apology. May we leave our space uncluttered for the next occupant, with little or no trace of our personal trash."
"The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" - July 13, 2013:
Dr. John Haralson Hayes, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Emory University, was born Tuesday, February 6, 1934 in Abanda, Alabama to Mattie and Will Hayes. John had five brothers, Gene, Pfifer, James, Jack, and Roy and one sister, Frances. After graduating from Five Points High School in 1952, John earned a BA from Samford University in 1956 before earning his BD and PhD degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1960 and 1964, respectively. He also studied at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland on a Fulbright Scholarship. Throughout his distinguished career as a Professor at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, John contributed significantly to the study of the Old Testament, and his publications, which include such works as Biblical Exegesis, Amos, the Eighth Century Prophet, and Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation, are internationally acclaimed and taught in universities around the world. In recent years, John added two creative and favorably reviewed works to his long list of published texts, If You Don't Like the Possum, Enjoy the Sweet Potatoes: Some Principles for Travel along the Road of Life (2010) and his recently-published semi-autobiographical novel, Abanda. Of Possum, journalist and public commentator Bill Moyers wrote, "There's more wisdom in these pages than in an airlift or convoy of fortune cookies. John's take on late-night comedians and the news is alone worth the modest price he's charging for opening our eyes and ears to some good ol' truths from the school of hard knocks." John's wisdom extended far beyond his classrooms, where he was adored by generations of students he often entertained on his Alabama farm, to his many other roles. He loved his three children, Heather, John, and Megan, with all of his heart and will be dearly missed by all of them. John also leaves a brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Freddie Hayes, cousins including Jerry W. Coggins and Karen Bledsoe, and many, many close friends around the world, whose lives he touched in his own community as well as in his travels across America, throughout Europe and the Middle East, and to Africa. John was known for his great wisdom and humor, which he was able to share with almost anyone due to his fluency innumerous languages, and he could captivate an audience of any size and makeup. John was a leader in the Five Points Baptist Church, where he frequently preached sermons, and was close to the congregation. He also had a way with children and acted as a beloved uncle figure to his friends' and relatives' kids. His fishing pond, hay barn, and petting zoo were always open. Nowhere was John's gentle nature more apparent than in his treatment of animals. Over the years, he amassed an eclectic assortment of dogs, cats, and cows, each of whom he treated with kindness and respect. Because he spent many long nights tending to his cows and fostering ailing or orphaned calves, it seems fitting that his last conscious memory involved his walking into his pasture with his birthing kit, surrounded by his docile herd, most of whom knew their names and were tame enough to ride. John's passing on July 11, 2013, after a peaceful last night spent with his loving family and friends by his side, paralleled the closing lines of his final essay: "And when on our day the sun has set, let us pray that the darkness be not long delayed, that short will be that evening journey into night. And may that night kiss us softly on the cheek, and embrace us tenderly in its keep." The world is a much better place as a result of John's too brief presence in it, and his legacy will continue through the many people and creatures whose lives he has greatly enriched. Funeral services for John Hayes will be held Sunday, July 14, 2013, at 11:00 AM EDT from the Five Points Baptist Church. Dr. Carl Holladay and Dr. Max Miller will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends, Saturday afternoon from 4:00 PM EDT until 6:00 PM EDT at McCarthy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations are asked to be made to Chattahoochee Humane Society, 3265 Fairfax Bypass, Valley, Alabama, 36854, (334) 756-9377, www.chatthumane.org, in Mr. Hayes honor. For online condolences please visit our website at www.mccarthyfuneralhomeinc.com. Services have been entrusted to McCarthy Funeral Home, West Point, Georgia.
**************************************************
"The Randolph Leader" - July 17, 2013:
John Hayes Gave His Best To Life - by Penny Pool.
The pretty little country church where John Haralson Hayes preached his first sermon and taught his last Sunday School lesson was the perfect place to say goodbye to a much beloved man.
He was brilliant. He was a character, and that came through in an absolutely lovely funeral attended by locals and people from across the country, underscoring what an incredible full life this man had.
Dr. Carl Holladay and Dr. Max Miller, formerly fellow professors at Emory University's Candler School of Theology and fellow co-authors with him, preached a life-affirming message at Five Points Baptist Church.
I met him when I was assigned to do a story on his latest book "If You Don't Like The Possum Enjoy The Sweet Potatoes", quite different from his scholarly books.
It took maybe 10 minutes before I realized what a unique person he was and how fortunate I was to meet him. I ran into him here and there and when he occasionally taught Wednesday night services at First Baptist Church in Roanoke.
One of the comments I really loved in the service was that many people live in a black and white world but through Hayes' influence their world was turned into colour. It was abundantly apparent during the service he had affected people's lives far and wide.
Born in Abanda and a graduate of Five Points High School, he went on to earn many more degrees before and after his distinguished career as a professor. He is credited with contributing to a new look at the Old Testament that was groundbreaking. It was noted he always had an open door and an open heart.
But the man who returned to White Plains to farm was a simple man who lived a simple life and loved animals, including his blind dog who traveled in the eat beside him.
A story told at the funeral was of him being pulled over after someone called law enforcement and said he was weaving all over the road. When pulled over he said he was driving with one hand and rubbing his dog's belly with the other one.
Someone at the standing-room-only funeral told me a week before he died he told someone when he died he wanted to go to Heaven from his pasture. From his lips to God's ears.
A friend and member of what I think of as The Breakfast Club, Wyner Phillips, said the RODEO Breakfast Club (Real Old Dudes Eating Out - although women were included) became concerned when he did not show up. He always called and let them know if he wouldn't be there, Phillips said. But he didn't call.
When Martha Shepherd told her husband Lester, he had not come to breakfast Lester went to check on him in White Plains. His vehicle was there, his house was open, but no John. Lester found him unconscious in the pasture, flagged down a passing vehicle and got them to call an ambulance.
Phillips said John had 60 cows and had named them all. Like pet dogs each would come when he called it by name and he petted them. Apparently, he had delivered a calf and put it in the calf pen. On his way back he had the stroke and fell but was still breathing when Lester found him. At East Alabama Medical his family took him off life support and sang him a song. He lived 12 more hours.
That is the kind of fight he had throughout life as he had a playground sense of justice and didn't hesitate to speak up.
As the people who loved him followed the bagpipes to the nearby cemetery I thought of "Country Roads, take me home to the place I belong."
So much of his life was wrapped up in that church. He joined his parents in the cemetery.
John Hayes belonged everywhere he went around the world, and he influenced many people preaching today. He spoke at least six languages, including Hebrew. One of the pallbearers, who shed tears, had come in from Washington state to see his old professor laid to rest.
Concluding the church service, some of Hayes' words of wisdom were read from his possum/sweet potato book:
"Let's try and make the most of our existence. Let's give it our best, appreciate its every moment, and enjoy it to the fullest. Let's live with honesty and integrity so we won't stagger through the twilight of our days with a heart clogged with remorse. We should live life by what is right, not by what we can keep out of sight.
"When we leave live behind, may we be able to do so with no regret and no apology. May we leave our space uncluttered for the next occupant, with little or no trace of our personal trash."
Events
| Birth | February 6, 1934 | Abanda, Chambers County, Alabama | |||
| Death | July 11, 2013 | Opelika, Lee County, Alabama | |||
| Burial | Five Points Belcher Cemetery, Chambers County, Alabama |
Families
| Father | William "Will" Nonas Hayes (1901 - 1957) |
| Mother | Mattie Clardy (1899 - 1980) |
| Sibling | Emery Nonas "Jack" Hayes (1919 - 1988) |
| Sibling | Phifer Hayes |
| Sibling | James Hayes |
| Sibling | Roy Wilton Hayes (1925 - 2001) |
| Sibling | Frances Hayes |
| Sibling | Gene Hayes |