Reginald Byron Hayes

At an early age, Reggie professed a hope in Christ at First Baptist Church, North Indianapolis, under the pastorage of Dr. F.F. Young. Reggie was educated in the Indianapolis public school system, where he began his schooling at Elder Watson Diggs School #42 and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School, Class of ‘67.

Reggie was known for not being able to keep still. This trait followed him through the years of being precocious and high-energy, as he excelled in Little League baseball as a starter for his team under the guidance of the late Coach Henzy Green and became a Life Scout, which had a continued and resounding effect of tenacity, perseverance, and survival.

After graduating from high school, Reggie began college at the University of Iowa, Waterloo, majoring in Urban Planning. After three years, Reggie planted his roots in Oakland, California and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications from the University of California Berkley and later, a Masters of Public Administration (M.PA) from California State University Hayward, further encouraging his younger siblings to also finish college.

In 1968, Reggie was blessed with a son, Troy Byron Hayes, who he loved dearly.

Reggie began his professional career with the Oakland Housing Authority and thereafter with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in San Francisco. In 1987, Reggie made a career move to HUD Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and enjoyed a career lasting over 30 years. Reggie rose through the ranks with many promotions and awards for outstanding service. After retirement in 2012, Reggie served as a Management Consultant Contractor to a variety of Small Business Corporations, most recently a workforce solutions company in Morgan Hill, California. He spent his free time fishing, traveling and volunteering as an Election Officer for Prince William County, Virginia.

During his time in Washington, D.C., Reggie was active in serving God’s Kingdom as an always-smiling Usher under Pastor David Durham of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Northwest DC. Since 2007, he served as an Usher, including Vice President of the Usher Ministry at First Mount Zion Church in Dumfries, Virginia under Pastor Luke E. Torian. Reggie graduated from the Interdenominational Church Ushers Association of Virginia, Inc. (ICUA of VA, Inc.) Kensey M. Lewis School of Ushering in 2017 and completed the 3-year course requirement to become a National School of Ushering Instructor receiving his Instructor’s Certificate in August 2019. He was Chairman of the ICUA of VA, Inc. Training and Development Department and served as the Chaplain of the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. - Information Technology and Marketing Strategies Team.

As a family, we salute our brother, and we thank him for the swagger in which he went about his journey and for his ability to encourage others. Always striving to do more, in 2005, Reggie authored and published “Following My Instincts” and that he did. He went on to write and publish two more books.

REGGIE LIVED, REGGIE LAUGHED, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, REGGIE LOVED.

Reggie loved life, possessed a certain je ne sais quoi, never met a stranger, and garnered long standing relationships with friends such as Theodore (Theo) Johnson, Quillie Odom, Carl Calvin and had deep admiration for all.

Reggie lived life to the fullest and on December 8, 2019, took special pride in meeting God’s promise of three score and ten. Reggie faced his illness with the courage instilled in him after losing his father at age 15.

Reggie was preceded in death by parents Robert F. Hayes, Sr., Nadine Whitlock Hayes, Angela D. Hayes Schaffer, grandparents John E. Hayes, Sr. and Minnie E. Hooks Hayes, George B. Whitlock, and Callie C. Radford Rives Whitlock. Furthermore, he leaves to cherish his memory, son Troy Hayes, granddaughter Tiana Devine Hayes, siblings Robert F. Hayes, Jr. (Kate), Dennis C. Hayes of Columbia, Maryland, Deborah L. Hayes, Marcia E. Hayes Cole (Melvin), Cathy J. Hayes, Elder Eric J. Hayes, Sr. (Lisa), and Keith L. Hayes, step-daughters, Elena Robinson (Long Island, NY), Melissa Richardson ( Tampa, FL) and Mary Augustus (Suffolk, VA), step-grandchildren, Reoni Mapp and Joseph Jordan Robinson, Godson Michael Green, M.D. of Houston, Texas, Aunts Grace D. Hayes Meekins (William) of Mascoutah, Illinois, Geraldine Annatta Hayes Adams (John) of Trenton, New Jersey, Juanita Hayes of Indianapolis, Indiana, Muriel G. Hayes of Indianapolis, Indiana, and a host of nieces and nephews. And the family gives special thanks to his very special friend, Donna Hines, for her devoted attention to him throughout his illness.