Barbara Hayes Coleman

Barbara Hayes Coleman, 77, passed away after a long fight with cancer on August 14, 2010. Barbara was born in Paducah, Kentucky on March 3, 1933. She graduated from Union University in Jackson, TN in 1955 with a degree in early childhood education.

She moved to Jacksonville with her husband, James F. Hayes, M.D. in 1958 where she continued her teaching career. She was a 3rd and 4th grade teacher and educator, ran the medical office for Dr. Jim Hayes, raised three children, and volunteered throughout her life. She was active with the Women’s Board at Wolfson Children's Hospital and the Mental Health Association. Her passions included travel, interior design, reading, teaching, spending time with family and friends and donating her time to others. Her husband of 45 years, Jim Hayes, passed away in 2002.

At her fiftieth college reunion in 2005, she met and later married Don Coleman, Ph.D. of Hilton Head Island. Barbara, Jim and Don were college classmates.

She is survived by her husband Don; daughter Paula Kettell (Tom) and three grandchildren Lauren, Kelli and Christopher (Eden Prairie, MN); daughter Lisa Ephrem (Vic) and two grandsons Adam and Henry (Jacksonville); son James Franklin Hayes, III (Jacksonville); sister Dorothy Gaze (Houston, TX) and nephews, Ted, Tim and Tom Gaze. A special thank you to Baptist Medical Center, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Southlake Nursing and Drs. Zhen Hou and Richard Glock for their attentive care during her illness.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 21, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville. Arrangements are being handled by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wolfson's Children Hospital, specifically to the Red Wagon Club or The Women’s Board, 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207.