Bert Hayes

Dr. Bert Hayes was born on October 1, 1931 in Eagle Grove, Georgia; the eleventh of twelve children of Martha E. Olbon Hayes and William Albertus Hayes. He died peacefully at home in Gulf Shores, Alabama on January 9, 2019. Bert is survived by former wife and caregiver Vickie Hayes; son Dr. John Hayes and wife Debbie; son Russell Hayes; daughter Martha Hayes Daniel; stepdaughter Amanda Owens and husband Jeff; grandchildren Chandler Hayes and wife Laura, Cayce Hayes, Leila Owens, Isabella Owens, and Harrison Owens; great-grandchildren Clover Hayes and Indigo Hayes. A private family graveside service was held on Saturday, January 12. A memorial service and celebration of life for family and friends will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the First Presbyterian Church in Foley, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite animal rescue or to The Haven in Fairhope, Alabama. Dr. Bert Hayes – Brief Biography Born the eleventh of twelve children to Martha E. Olbon Hayes and William Albertus Hayes on October 1, 1931 in a sharecropper’s shack in Eagle Grove, GA (located in the Georgia Piedmont), Bert was naturally inquisitive and the influence of siblings, parents and the environment was the seed that began his quest to learn and to teach others. The family experienced hard times and often found it difficult to feed the family during and after the Great Depression, yet the fields, springs and creeks (the only “running” water) provided nourishment to the mind in his earliest years. His older siblings naturally taught Bert everything they were learning in school before he even began grammar school in Royston, GA. Some of his early teachers were also key to whetting his curiosity about the world. Eventually, Bert’s father was able to purchase a farm in Franklin Springs, GA, allowing the family to put sharecropping behind them. Still, life was a struggle, but somehow, at age 16 and newly graduated from high school, Bert took his diploma in hand and walked/hitchhiked thirty-five miles to Toccoa Falls College to enroll. He took a job at Lake Louise, a conference hotel, the first of many, many jobs of all kinds between classes and in summers in order to pay his tuition. He took advantage of every opportunity including working with a school in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, automotive work in Kenosha, WI and various positions all over the U.S. He studied anthropology and sociology in Pennsylvania, theology in Texas, and eventually earned his Ph.D. in Hebrew and Cognate Studies at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, OH and Jerusalem, Israel in 1963. He participated in field archeology in Israel with Dr. Nelson Glueck, and other notable academics and enjoyed visiting much of the world throughout his life. While teaching at Indiana University, he received the fateful call from Athens College, a small Methodist Liberal Arts College (now Athens State University) located in Athens, AL and with family in tow, he began a career which spanned several decades. Professor of Humanities, he also served at different times as Dean of Students, where he worked closely with the fraternities and sororities on campus, later becoming President of the Southern Division of Delta Tau Delta. He served at one point as Dean of the Graduate School and retired, Professor Emeritus. Republican in a State full of Democrats, he ran for Governor of Alabama in 1978. Defeated by fellow-republican Guy Hunt in the primary that year, Bert remained actively involved and enjoyed political discourse throughout his life. Though retired, he spent years serving Habitat for Humanity, Limestone Co. (AL) chapter, writing for the Gulf Coast Newpapers and serving friends and family in so many ways. Piloting his own plane for several years, he enjoyed aviation and though a civil aviation pilot, he loved spending time with the “Ancient Aviators,” a group in Gulf Shores who were primarily retired military. He never, ever met a stranger nor forgot anyone and had friends around the world. A deep love for animals began when he made pets of the farm animals. He rescued the majority of his pets and worried about those not adopted to loving homes. In the most recent years of his life he was working on a book of special remembrances of his pets and those of others. Proud of his family and especially his grandchildren (who called him Pape!), he published biographies primarily to ensure that they would know and remember his experiences and always be open to their own opportunities. He was truly a Renaissance Man. Arrangements are to Cason Funeral Service in Foley Alabama

Bert Hayes

October 1, 1931 - January 9, 2019

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Bert Hayes

October 1, 1931 - January 9, 2019

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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