Mary Howard Reese Hayes, age 76, of Gallatin, TN, passed away peacefully at her home in Sideview, her favorite place in the world, on October 18, 2024 surrounded by family.
She was born on November 27, 1947 to Mary Evelyn and Richard “Dick” Reese and grew up on her family farm with her two brothers Richard “Dickie” Reese (Michelle Haynes) and Rufus “Rufie” Reese (Vivian).
After graduating from Gallatin High School, she spent one year at the Mississippi University for Women and then went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee with a degree in education. One of her favorite memories from her time at U.T. was when she was voted the “Moonlight Girl” (aka sweetheart) of Phi Sigma Kappa. She then moved to Florida where she taught home economics for six years.
She returned to Gallatin to work for Brown Milling Company. It was during this time that she met Johnny Hayes, the love of her life, on a blind date at Sperry’s in Nashville. They fell in love and married within the next year, joining their two families. She later received her master’s in public health from Western Kentucky University. After earning her master’s, she worked for Jobs for Tennessee Graduates, and then for more than twenty years as the Director of Sumner County Health Department, where she diligently worked for improved health services for all residents.
Johnny and Mary Howard raised three children together: Mary Kate Campbell Mouser (Lee), Craig Hayes (Kim Abbott), and Amy Hayes. Her pride and joy, however, were her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Miller Mouser, Hayes Mouser, Austin Hayes (Caroline), Ashley Hayes, Vivian Hayes, and Hadden Hayes.
Mary Howard was best known for her warmth and care for others. Her beautiful smile and infectious laugh made her a joy to be around. One of her greatest gifts was her acts of kindness. Her family continues to learn of ways she positively impacted others. She was a hell of a hostess whose home was always open to friends and family and full of wonderful home-cooked food.
If you couldn’t find her playing bridge or other card games with friends, or attending her children’s or grandchildren’s events, she was traveling with Johnny. They loved to visit Maine and travel south to the beaches of Florida and North Carolina. They also traveled extensively for political gatherings supporting Democratic candidates and friends. In all she did, her main goal in life was to better the lives of all around her in her local community and country.
Mary Howard was preceded in death by her husband Johnny Hayes and her parents Mary Evelyn Reese and Richard “Dick” Reese.
Family and friends are invited to attend Mary Howard’s Celebration of Life, which will be held at her family home in Sideview on Saturday, November 30 from 11 am until 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Gallatin Public Library, the Gallatin Shalom Zone, or the Salvus Center, or do what Mary Howard did best- do something kind for someone else.
A grateful thanks to all of her caregivers at home, caregivers at Abe’s Garden, Highpoint Hospice, and her friend “Lunch.”
Online condolences may be submitted at familyheritagefh.com.
For more obituaries visit https://sumnercountysource.com/obituaries/
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