Dr. F. Irvin Hays, Pastor of the Bartlett Baptist Church for 32 years died Sunday October 6, at Ave Maria Home in Bartlett, at the age of 90. He was a native of Trenton, TN. Dr. Hays came to the Bartlett church as Pastor in June 1953 and retired at the end of 1985. He saw the church and the city of Bartlett both increase in numbers during those years. He led the Bartlett church not only in a steady increase in membership, but also in 5 major building programs. At retirement, he was honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus. Dr. Hays graduated from Union University at Jackson , TN as President of his graduating class, and was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus award in 1983. Dr. Hays graduated at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, KY with the Master of Divinity and the Doctor of Ministry Degrees. He was a Veteran of World War II having served in the Infantry for more than three years. He served in the North African and Italian campaigns. He was active in the life of his church, Shelby Baptists and the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He served as President of the Shelby Baptist Pastor’s Conference and as Moderator of the Shelby Baptist Association, and on many committees. He served on the Board of Trustees of Union University. He served on the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and as First Vice-President of the Convention. He served on the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Memorial Hospital and the Baptist Memorial Health Care System. Dr. Hays was one of twenty-five men to go on a three weeks Preaching Mission to London, England, in May 1964 at the invitation of the London Baptist Association. While there, the visiting ministers were honored by having Tea at the Houses of Parliament. One of Dr. Hays’s greatest strengths in the Ministry was his love for people and his desire to minister to people. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Hays of Bartlett, two sons, Wayne Hays (Dena) of Hickory Withe, TN and David Hays (Debbie) of Bartlett TN, granddaughters Stefanie Daniel (Kevin) of Bartlett, TN, Lindsey Durand (Matt) of Cordova, TN, Allison Hays of Nashville, TN, Courtney Hays and Jordan Hays of Bartlett, TN, and one great granddaughter, Ava Daniel of Bartlett, TN. He is preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. J.C. Phelan of Trenton, TN. Previously, two scholarship funds were established to honor Dr. Hays and to help students to be able to attend Union University. One is the F. Irvin Hays Union University Scholarship for students from Bartlett Baptist Church, and the other is the Dr. Irvin & Mrs. Dorothy Hays Scholarship benefitting students from Faith Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to either of these Scholarship Funds, c/o Union University, 1050 Union University Drive, Jackson, TN 38305, Attn: University Relations. Family and friends will gather this evening, Tuesday, October 8 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Rd. A celebration of Dr. Hays’ life will be held at Bartlett Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 9, at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made at www.memphisfuneralhome.net .
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