Etta Mae Hays

84, of Indianapolis, departed this life at her home on Monday, June 2, 2025. She was born December 7, 1940 in Pittsboro, Indiana to the late Walter Raymond and Alice Elizabeth (Richwine) Merritt. She

was a graduate of Pittsboro High School and then worked for St. Vincent Hospital as a Senior Administrative Assistant for 25 years, retiring in 2002. She was an active member of Crooked Creek Baptist Church which she loved second to her family.

Etta Mae was a devoted Christian all her life with a selfless heart and generous spirit. She lived her life with kindness, always ready to give and care for others. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Etta cherished her family deeply and found great joy in time spent with her grandchildren. She also took pleasure in simple joys, like having her hair and nails done, which always brought a smile to her face.

In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jennifer Fae Hays.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, C. David Hays; her loving daughter, Amy (Clint) Lewis; her treasured grandchildren, Grace & Jake Lewis; beloved siblings, Helen Aubrey, Linda Gillon, Bill Merritt & David (Becky) Merritt as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends at church.

Visitation for Etta Mae will be from 4-7pm on Friday, June 13th at Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 12:00pm on Saturday, June 14th at Crooked Creek Baptist Church (5540 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46228) with additional visitation beginning at 11:00am. Interment follows at Brownsburg Cemetery in Brownsburg, Indiana.