Barbara Alice Hayes
1939 - 2023

Barbara Alice Roberts Hayes AKA "MAMA", "MawMaw", "Bob" was born to Clarence Roberts and Lillie Mae Cone Russaw on June 26, 1939.

She attended school at the historic AW Jackson in Rosenberg, TX, and Jack Yates High School in Houston, TX. She then went on to pursue a cosmetology career at Franklin Beauty School. While schooled in cosmetology, she ran the family business and performed multiple roles as a bookkeeper, cook, event planner, and babysitter.

She was married to Elo Hayes in 1956 and to this union, 6 children were born, five boys and one girl.

She began her run for Christ at a young age where she attended Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in Thompsons, TX before relocating to Houston where she united with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and served as a faithful member until her health failed her.

After she was called home, she asked God to stop by and pick up her son Randy, because she knew no one could care for him like his mother.

The Matriarch of the Cone and Hayes family departed this life on May 18, 2023.

She was preceded in death by parents Clarence Roberts and Lillie Mae and Sherman Russaw; her husband Elo Hayes, Sisters Carolyn Russaw, and Shirley Roberts; Children Gery Roberts and Janice Hayes; Grandson Corey Hayes and nephew Bruce Roberts.

She leaves to cherish in her memory her children Stanley, Clarence, Tony, Larry (Jeanelle), Colby (grandson raised as a son), stepson James Rivers, Daughter in law Sarah Roberts, 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.  She also leaves to cherish special nephew Derek Russaw, close cousin Angela Cone who became like a daughter, family patriarchs Charles and Susie Cone, Goddaughter Monique Scott, dear friends Priscilla Powell and Constance Thompson, and a host of other family and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at South Park Baptist Church, 5830 Van Fleet St., Houston, Texas 77033.

Viewing will start at 10 am followed by funeral service at 11:00 am.

Interment will take place in Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Pearland, Texas.

Officiating: Rev. Gerald Shanks & Pastor Mary  of Mt. Olive Baptist Church