Marion Thomas "Tom" Hayes, 80, entered larger life March 3, 2018, following a lengthy illness. His funeral service will be held at All Saints Anglican Church, 212 McClellan Road, Jackson, TN on Thursday March 8th at 1:00 pm with The Rev. Wes Gristy and The Rev. Charles Filiatreau officiating and George A. Smith and Sons (North Chapel) in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow in Ridgecrest Cemetery.
Born in Jackson, TN on July 10, 1937, the son of the late James Franklin Hayes and Dorothy Frances Yarbrough Hayes, he grew up in Bemis, TN where he attended elementary school and graduated from J. B. Young High School. After completing one semester at Union University, he went to work as a clerical employee and visitors tour guide for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington D. C., where he also sang in the choir of National Baptist Memorial Church, and a quartet that performed for various events throughout the D. C. area.
In 1963 he returned to Jackson to complete a degree in music at Union University. Endowed with an outstanding tenor voice, he studied with the late Dr. Elisabeth Jarrell Fossey, was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, served as music director of First Baptist Church, Ripley, TN, and was a part-time employee in the advertising department of the Sun Publishing Company.
In 1966, he married his wife of 51 years, Linda Martindale Hayes, who survives. Together they built a home around, family, church, community theatre and choruses, and volunteer efforts.
Although his career took a turn to business-Hayes managed credit departments and credit unions in the Jackson area for 25 years and spent his final working years as night auditor for several local hotels-he continued to pursue music as a much sought after tenor soloist and choir singer, including a 30-year stint as cantor for Temple B'nai Israel in Jackson.
Hayes was also an active communicant of All Saints Anglican Church where he served as vestry member, parish treasurer, and choir singer and cantor.
In addition to his parents, Hayes was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. James Franklin Hayes, Jr. and sister-in-law, Barbara King Hayes Coleman, of Jacksonville, FL.
Survivors other than his wife include his daughter, Elisabeth Lay (David) of Memphis, TN; two nieces, Paula Kettell (Tom) of Park City, UT and Lisa Ephrem (Victor) of Jacksonville, FL; a nephew, James Franklin Hayes, III of Jacksonville, FL; and two grandnieces and 3 grandnephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 11:00 am until the time of the service at 1:00 pm at the Church
