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Obituary For Mr. Robert Durant Hayes, Sr.
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.
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Daisy sent The Peace Lily for Mr. Robert Durant Hayes, Sr. - October 06, 2024
Daisy Johnson (Friend of Elder Kenneth Hayes-Austin, Texas)
Matthew G Carney sent Red and White Handled Basket for Mr. Robert Durant Hayes, Sr. - October 05, 2024
Rest In Peace Mr. Hayes
Deborah and Matthew Carney
Krista Thurlow sent Tender Tribute for Mr. Robert Durant Hayes, Sr. - October 04, 2024
With our heartfelt condolences. Your Filtrona Family
Praying for the Hayes Family From the Witherspoon Family and the Rorie Family 💔😂💜🧤🎭🍇🌹
To: Mr. Robert Durant Hayes, Sr. Family: My Thoughts & Prayers of Comfort, Strength, and Love are with your Family during your time of Great Loss. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy will come in the morning. Mr. Hayes will greatly be missed in the neighborhood. Remember all the good times & Reminisce the good memories. God Bless and continually keep you all in Prayer. Love u All much, Betty Derry & The Patrick Famiily❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Mr. Robert Hayes was a faithful spiritual person always spreading the Love of Jesus Christ. He was a honorable man in so many ways by touching the life of others and making a difference. He was a loving dedicated husband, father, grandfather and a mentor to others. We are grateful to God for having such a loving man in our lives. We truly love him and it gives us comfort in knowing he is resting in peace. Michelle Hayes & Family
To the Hayes family, may you find comfort knowing other share in your loss. Our families go back to Downing Street. With our Deepest Sympathy, the Steele Steed Robinson and McNeil families.
On behalf of the Harper family we offer our deepest condolences our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mr. Hayes was an icon in this town and will never be forgotten.
On behalf of the Harper family we offer our deepest condolences our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mr. Hayes was an icon in this town and will never be forgotten.
With warm hearts and sincere condolences. I am sorry to hear about your loss. Mr. Hayes was a man of promise and believed in family values. If it was broken, he could fix it. He was a provider, preacher and a teacher. 🤍🤍🤍
Once in a lifetime friend,father and familyman. Not only to his own children but to a community of children and soldiers alike. I will miss you dearly As we gave our last salute to each other on earth. I will miss you COMMANDER/FATHER/TRUE FRIEND SIR! SSGT.D.L.BROWN USAF AND THE BROWN FAMILY
Sending condolences and prayers of comfort for you all.
India (Golden) Glasgow, Jamal Glasgow, Kai Golden and Parker Glasgow
Sending condolences to the family . We didn't need a hair cut from Mr Hayes but loved to go there to get a cold soda and some encouraging words of wisdom .. Rest Mr Robert Hayes a Wonderful Man .Armstrong ,Walden family ..
You're an amazing father in love, mentor, and the best father any son-in-law will pray to have. You've touched so many lives with your soothing interventions in the face of despondency, and a light bearer of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. You're definitely going to be missed by the family, the community and City of Highpoint and the State of North Carolina. Adieu Dad! The Patriarch of the Hayes-Lula family. Till will meet to part no more, and remember to tell my wife your daughter RESA, that, in her death, she's always in my heart. Rest in peace Dad!
Hello Hope. I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are being held up before God in prayer during this most difficult time.Continue to trust in God with all your heart. Remember that He will never leave or forsake you and that "all" things work out for good to them that love the Lord. Weeping endures for a night but joy does eventually come in the morning... Bettie Stokes Johnson--Sister of Mae Stokes (dec 2011) and Aunt (now Mom) of Tyrone.
condolences to the Hayes . May God Shower your family with his grace and mercy . Mr Hayes was a awesome person a man with dignity and a man of God. Our prayers go out to your family 🙏. Valerie Rorie and family
Sending my condolences and prayers to the Hayes Family may God give you all the strength to get through this difficult time 🕊️❤️🕊️😇 Sharon Williams Green and Family
God has hand picked another angel~fly high Mr. Hayes job well done 🙏🏽🌹
Stephany Steed~Chavis
Sending prayers to the family for the loss of Mr Hayes I remember him from long time ago from Washington St. Your Soul is in Heaven Resting in Peace 🕊️🕊️🕊️ you have left some Good Memories of High Point NC. Love Ms Sheila Pittman and the Gainey Family
Sorry for the passing of Mr.Hayes.He made a big impact on so many lives while on Washington St,touched so many lives. Rest in Paradise Mr.Hayes Berline Mitchell-Exum
Mr Hayes I called u my granddaddy I'm gonna miss u may u rip love your grand and great granddaughter mona and whitney
Dear Family, Sending prayers and love ❤️! Uncle Robert lived a life of greatness and share so much wisdom with all he met! I loved his smile and charisma. He is peacefully resting in the Lord's hands 🙏🏾 Love Keonna Hayes Rorie & Family
Tony & Family We're so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. We admired your father's courage, strength, and love he showed We were so blessed to know him .Please accept our sincere condolences. Tamika & Wayne Williams
Hope I am so very sorry for your loss I'm praying for you and the entire Hayes family Roslyn Nelson your friend from the bank
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
