Hayes Womble Forrest

Hayes Womble Forrest, age 63, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2016 after a short illness. He was born April 23, 1953 to Virginia Hayes Forrest and Stephen Taylor Forrest, Sr. of Greensboro, N.C. He attended school in Greensboro and graduated from Blue Ridge School in St. George, Va. He entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1974 while still a student he began his entrepreneurial career by opening a deli sandwich restaurant in Durham. The Sub Way (his own original name) served 1,000s of students in the area.

In 1978 he married Betty Jo Wall and they made their home in Chapel Hill. They turned their attention to homebuilding and developed land adjacent to Duke Forest. He was an award winning builder of luxury homes in this beautiful setting. In recent years they moved back to Greensboro. A natural businessman, he enjoyed success in each of his ventures.

He was a true blue fan of Carolina sports, proud of his North Carolina heritage and southern culture. He and Betty enjoyed many trips to Europe and across the U.S. He never met a stranger; he made friends everywhere he traveled. His larger than life personality filled our lives with wit, charm, and joy. He was a devoted and loving son and husband and had a great interest in all people. His memory of names, people and places served him well as he entertained many with numerous stories.

Hayes is survived by Betty Jo Wall Forrest, his wife of 38 years, his brother Stephen T. Forrest, Jr. and wife Sandy, sister Beverly Forrest Kehayes and husband Ernie, and Mr. and Mrs. Pete Wall.

Services will be held in First Presbyterian Church on October 4 at 2:00. Following the service a visitation will be held in the Virginia Gilmer Room. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401, Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405 and Palm Street Christian Church 1921 Palm Street, Greensboro, NC 27405.