High Point’s own Robert Durant Hayes, Sr. passed away at his residence on September 27, 2024. Mr. Hayes was born on January 27, 1933. He was a loving son of the late John Herbert Hayes and Amie Lula Crowder. He was the brother of Herbert Waugh (decd. 2005), Icee Mae (decd. 1959), Mary Elizabeth (decd. 1933), David Lee (decd. 2005), Grant Ruffin (decd. 2005) and Command Sergent Major James Edward, Sr. (decd. 2021), and Virginia Antoinette “Ginny” (Joseph Sanchez) of Manhattan, New York. He was born and raised in High Point, NC. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and neighbor serving his community as a dedicated barber and mentor. The love he had for his for community and country encouraged him to join the military where he served 18 months as a decorated Combat Medic Specialist of the United States Army in the Korean War earning Korean Svc Medal, UN Svc Medal, National Defense Svc Medal, 1 Bronze Svc Star, 2 O/S Bars. Upon the completion of his service, he returned to High Point, NC in 1956.

Soon after his return, he met the love of his life Clarine “Dot” Derry, with whom he would wed following an endearing courtship. They were married on February 10, 1957. Mr. Hayes worked various jobs including Firestone Tires before earning his Barber’s Certificate from Fulk Barber School of Winston Salem in 1963. He and Dot created a loving family as Dot would give birth to their six children: Teresa (decd. 2022) (Akin Amusan), Robert Jr. “Dooney” (decd. 2024) (Vivian Flowers), [Infant] Ruth Ellen (decd.1961) Anthony “Tony” (Mary Williams), Van (Donna Wylie), and Hope (Antwan Curse). They also raised Albert Travis Henderson, after the untimely passing of Icee. Though they established his family, Robert and Dot shared their love for parenting and helping the community by welcoming children in the Guilford County Foster Care system, providing the same love and respect as they did their own. They embraced their foster children, Carol Phillips, Tommy Jenkins and nineteen others as their family members for decades. Dot transitioned into the heavenly realm on November 24, 1984. Fortunately, she had the opportunity of meeting her first grandchild, Robert Durant Hayes, III. After her passing, Mr. Hayes stepped up in remarkable ways by embracing both roles and becoming an even more devoted parent to his children and grandchildren. Despite his pain of mourning his wife’s death, while raising his family, he would continue maintaining the well-being for those he loved dearly. He enjoyed the company of more grandchildren (aside from Robert III): William (Candace Humphrey), Monet (Kevin Marion), Wayne Neal, Jr. (creator of this passage), Keosha Wylie, Ebony, Anthony, Jr. (Tamara Cowans), Chasity, Jerry, Sidney (Jasmine Kearse), Ashley Amusan, Clarine (Gary Richburg), Aaron Amusan and Van, Jr. along with a host of beloved great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, mentees. Mr. Hayes married Charlene Jones in 1995. There union thrived from 1995-2005 and they continued their loving friendship until his transition.

Mr. Hayes enjoyed his virtues, such as spending quality time with his grandchildren. He was an avid trainer and was gifted with athletic abilities such as swimming, and track and field. His athleticism would be the force and excitement that encouraged his sons and grandchildren into athletics that led to higher education and professional athletics. Mr. Hayes would casually race against his grandchildren, just to see if they are getting faster, take them on bike rides, and provide constructive criticism to enhance their young sportsmanship. Mr. Hayes was a mentor to each of his grandchildren, continuously teaching valuable life lessons, the true word of God, and morality. He was a great support, beaming with delight while attending their high school and college graduations.

Mr. Hayes had a committed to community preservation and racial equality, he founded and lead one of the first Civil Rights organizations in High Point, “The Royal Wasters” and participated in the national Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. He was ancient and accepted in the Scottish Rite Masons. Mr. Hayes was a loyal member of Word of Life Tabernacle, under the leadership of Pastor Ronald Diggs. He also attended his family church, Solid Rock, under the leadership of Pastor Alphonso Martin.

Despite of his successes, Mr. Hayes’s professional career as a Barber of his own business, Hayes Parlor of Tonsorial Arts of Washington Street, is what many people have fond memories of. He was known throughout the Carolinas and beyond as a master barber and a secretary of the NC Negro Barbers Association where he earned trophies and awards including a High Point Barbers and Cosmetology Association Icon Award in 2012. He was also honored with the prestigious Living Legend Award in 2020.

The family would like to thank High Point for all the love and respect for so many years. We would also like to thank his medical team Dr. Agnew, the Salisbury and Kernersville VA staff, his CNA, Gretta Davis and Primary Care Doctor, Dr. Betti Reese. We thank our family and friends for their kindness and support through this painful moment in our lives. And finally, we thank the Most High God for our Daddy.

Funeral service will be held Monday, October 7, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at Solid Rock Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Carolina Biblical Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.