Jerry Floyd Hays (Sonny), 80 years old, of Littleton, NC, passed away on July 10th, 2024 in his home surrounded by his loved ones.  He lived a long life, full of song and was loved by many.

Sonny was born on December 10th, 1943 in Hopewell, VA to Henry Floyd and Geraldine Marie Tucker Hays. He graduated from Hopewell High School 1963 and started his first job at Hays Plumbing and Heating, where he worked for his dad along with his brothers learning a trade that would carry him through life. Over his employment years, he worked at Allied Chemical in Hopewell, he also became a firefighter for the Hopewell Fire Department. While continuing to work as a plumber and building houses, he also became the youth director at Woodlawn Baptist Church for 3 years. Sonny was lead contractor in building a new sanctuary and wing for Woodlawn Baptist, as well as building other churches in the area. He eventually went on to establish Barber and Hays Construction offering his skills and expertise in building many homes and projects in his community. Above all of Sonny’s accomplishments, he was defined by his joy to share the love of Jesus Christ to all he came to know. Sonny embodied joy through song and love through friendships with many.

Sonny married Rose Ann Kuykendall in 1964 and during their 60 years together they were blessed with three children: Jerry Jr (Jay), Charles Anthony (Tony) and Rachael. They have 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and fostered 26 children.

Sonny is survived by his wife Rosie and children: Jay wife Cynthia and Rachael. Grandchildren Jason, Bethany husband Joshua, Jessica, David wife Molly, Enzo and Silas. Great grandchildren: Londyn, Eleanor and Collin Bailey, Annabelle, Jonah and Lucas Zabal, Charlotte and Emma Harris, and Henry and Caroline Hays. He’s also survived by a brother Larry wife Sissy Hays, and three sisters: Joy husband Wyman Roussell, Gayle Mahone, and Sharon Hays and sister in-law Glenda Hays along with many nieces, nephews and their beautiful families.  Sonny cherished his family.

Sonny was pre-deceased by his parents: Henry and Geraldine Hays, his son Tony Hays, brothers Frank wife Patricia Hays and Perry Hays and his grandson-in-law Matthew Harris.

A  Celebration of Life will be held at Pleasant Hill Christian Church on October 12, 2024 at 2:00 pm located at 175 Ankum Road, Gasburg, VA 23857.   Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm and a fellowship meal will follow the service.

As Sonny prioritized finding joy in his family, life, and sharing it with others, the family asks that you do the same - go out and do something that brings you real joy and share it with those around you. If you feel so moved, reach out and tell us about your joyful time shared with him!

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a love offering/donation to:

Pleasant Hill Christian Church Ministries

pleasanthillcc@aol.com

434-577-2463

Pleasant Hill Ministries has an outreach that helps children and those in need.

We thank you, are grateful and love you all so much. 

DEDICATION TO DAD

“In total, I have had five full-blown manic episodes. The first I rode out without hospitalization; and I was taken in by my family. My father built me my own apartment above a new garage within the year. The garage was created solely for the purpose of putting my private living space above it. My father is a general contractor and can build anything. He can wire the electricity, run the plumbing, build the framework, the roofing, and the finishing.

There are people in this world that view even their family members in a conditional manner. There are people who would turn their backs on their own, if conditions were troublesome. I have read in the Bible that even God turned his back and on his own Son. My mother and father did not.

How can I not strive to become holy when I have family such as this? I must deny the urge to be prideful, as I know that the blessing of progenitors should be commonplace. “

~ Tony Hays, ‘an excerpt from his book ‘A Towering Man’  2002, published 2012  and can be purchased on Amazon. 

https://a.co/d/ewAFx7z

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