OBITUARY: Myra Jean Hayes

Myra Jean Hayes, age 97, passed away at home on January 13, 2026, surrounded by loving family.

Myra was born on October 21, 1928, in Old Hickory, Tennessee, to John Robert Petty and Jessie Kirk Petty. She graduated from Gallatin High School in 1946, then boarded a train for Denver, Colorado, to attend Colorado Women’s College (now part of UC-Denver). She maintained friendships from her time there well into her 80’s.

She married Glen Hayes in June 1950 and began married life in south Florida. Their first child was born there but the family returned to Middle Tennessee after Glen was recalled to active duty in the Korean War. He always said she loved babies, so three more children followed. The following years were spent leading Girl Scout and Cub Scout troops, attending ball games and enjoying their children’s accomplishments. They were married 69 years until Glen’s death in 2019.

Myra worked at National Life and Accident Insurance Company in Nashville through the 1950’s and began her banking career at Commerce Union Bank in the early 1960’s. She saw many changes in the industry during her career, which ended with her retirement in 1998 from Bank of America.

Myra was a charter member of the Sumner County Republican Women’s Club, serving as treasurer for many years. She worked on many local, state, and national campaigns. She enjoyed playing bridge and played with the same group of ladies every month for more than 50 years. Myra was an active member of the Gallatin Church of Christ, serving in Sunday School, the church’s library and running the kitchen, overseeing many potluck dinners. She enjoyed reading, especially history and Jane Austen, and researching her family’s genealogy.

A Celebration of her life will be held in the chapel of Sellars Family Heritage on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 2:00pm, with Bro. Julius Hovan officiating. The family will receive family and friends at the funeral home from 12:00 noon until service time. Interment will follow at the Historic Gallatin City Cemetery.

Myra is preceded in death by her husband, Glen Hayes; Son, William “Bill” Guthrie Hayes, and Grandson, Ford Battle. She is survived by siblings, Bill Petty (Charlotte) of Knoxville, Jo Dillehay of Hendersonville, William David Petty (Patricia) of Laurel, MS; Children, Glenda Larsen (Burt) of Mt. Juliet, Rick Hayes (Martha) of Paducah, KY and Lori Carter (Todd) of Franklin; Grandchildren, Chad Larsen (Elizabeth), Brett Larsen (Erinn), Creighton Hayes (Kristen), Reese Hayes, Hayes Carter (Brynne), William Carter and Lindsay Ripplinger (Jake); Great Grandchildren, Andrew Larsen, Alissa Larsen, Colton Ripplinger and Maeve Larsen.

Family and friends will be serving as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gallatin Church of Christ or St. Jude’s.