Betty Jo Hayes

Mrs Betty Jo Hayes of Colfax, passed away on September 18, 2026.

She was born April 12,1934 in Burlington, a daughter of the late John H. and Nannie G. Bivens.

Betty was a 1952 graduate of High Point High School and a 1954 graduate of Gardner-Webb Junior College now known as Gardner-Webb University.

In 1954 she married James Edward Hayes who passed away June 1, 1994. She is survived by her daughter Toni Hayes Gray and husband Tom of High Point, son-in-law Wally White of Lake Monticello, Virginia, three grandchildren, Meredith Gray Shaw and husband Mike, Taylor Lynn Gray and James Cameron White, two great-grandchildren Graylyn James Shaw and Stetson Hayes Curry, her beloved sister June Edwards and a host of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Karen Hayes White, siblings Frances Osborn, Winfred Bivens, and Lavearn Floyd. Betty loved and cherished her family throughout her entire life.

She was employed by Presbyterian Home of High Point for 42 years, serving as the Executive Director from 1981 to May of 2001. From 2001 to 2003 she served as the Executive Director of Development for River Landing at Sandy Ridge, a division of the Presbyterian Homes Inc, now known as Kintura. Betty played a key role in the relocation of The Presbyterian Home of High Point to River Landing at Sandy Ridge. In addition she planned, organized and directed the move to the new location. In 2015 she moved to River Landing where she resided until her death.

In 1998, she received the Award of Honor from the North Carolina Association of Non Profit Homes for the Aging, the highest honor awarded by this organization. The same year, she received the Meritorious Service Award from The American Association of Homes for the Aging for outstanding service to the elderly. She was known for her attention to detail, organizational skills and sense of fairness. She held many offices in the North Carolina Association serving as its president in 1990-1991.

Betty was an active member of High Point Friends Meeting for many years. Through the years she served in numerous capacities such as Chairman of the Trustees, Clerk of Monthly Meeting, and Clerk of Ministry and Counsel. She was a member of the Adult Choir for more than 50 years and served as Sunday School teacher for the Alice Paige White class. In addition, Betty served as the Clerk of the Pastoral Search Committee in 1995 and again in 2005-2006.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at High Point Friends Meeting, Friday September 25, 2026 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Scott Wagoner and Chaplain Robbin Mundy officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A private burial will be held earlier that day at Floral Garden Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to River Landing Resident Fund, 1575 John Knox Drive, Colfax, NC 27235 (Attn: Michelle Jones), High Point Friends Meeting or Cunningham United Methodist of Palmyra, Virginia.