Jimmy Leon Hayes was born January 23, 1944 in Hogansville, Georgia to M. C. Hayes and Virginia Hayes (who preceded him in death).  He was the oldest of eight siblings.  Because of the early death of his parents, Jimmy and his six brothers went to live with his aunt Janie and Uncle Sherman Poythress, Sr. who continued to raise them.    

Jimmy received his education in the public schools of Troup County, Georgia.  He was a graduate of West End High School in 1964.  After Graduation, he left to pursue a career in New York City.  He there met the Love Of His Life Dorothy Martin whom he married on January 23rd, 1967.  To this union, two children were born.  

He was employed by Holmes Protection/ADT and retired after thirty four years of service.  He accepted Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior at an early age and became a member of Redeeming Love Christian Center in Nanuet, New York.  After retirement, he and his wife later moved to Hampton, Georgia to be closer to his family where he then joined World Changers Church International.  Jimmy was a family man, hard worker and excellent provider for his family.  He enjoyed playing golf, pool, cards and his main love was fishing.  

On March 19, 2014 at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, the life of Jimmy Leon Hayes slipped away peacefully into Eternal Rest.  

He leaves to cherish his loving and precious memories:  his devoted wife of forty-seven years, Dorothy Hayes; one son, Dwayne Hayes (Latisha); one daughter, LaVerne (Marion, Jr.) Davis; one grandson, Marion "Tre" Davis III; six brothers, Curtis (Felicia) Hayes, Donald Hayes who preceded him in death, Ralph (Vivian) Hayes, Clinton Hayes, Douglas Hayes, Michael Hayes; one sister, Rebecca (Sterling, Sr.) Clerk; one sister-in-law, Angela (Bernard) Ragin;  mother-in-law, Mattie James; raised as brother and sister, Sherman (Sandra) Poythress, Jr. and Agnes Boston; aunts, Alice Hudson, Julia Hayes; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.