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In Memory of
Obdulia "Teddy"
Hayes
Hayes
1922 - 2016
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Gallagher Funeral Home and Crematory
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Obituary for Obdulia "Teddy" Hayes
Mrs. Hayes, age 94, of Pineville, Louisiana, peacefully entered eternal rest on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 surrounded by the love of her family at her residence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2016 at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball, Louisiana with Rev. Mark Breland officiating. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball, Louisiana, under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home of Ball, Louisiana. Visitation for Mrs. Hayes will be on Sunday, December 18, 2016, at Gallagher Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Obdulia Teodosia (Teddy) Rios Hayes was born on September 5, 1922, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After graduating from high school, Teddy attended a local business college run by the Catholic Church where she took classes for a year. She held several odd jobs before joining the USO in 1947. She was stationed in Panama for two years before returning to her island home of Puerto Rico. The USO eventually closed its office in San Juan; after a couple of months looking for a job, she was contacted by the American Red Cross and offered a job working in the rehabilitation department with their Service in Military Hospitals program. Because she was bilingual, her skills were even more important because most of the staff spoke only Spanish and the soldiers mostly spoke English.
Teddy was the assistant to the Social Service Executive for this program. She worked directly with soldiers that were rehabilitating at Rodriguez General Hospital, adjacent to El Moro, San Juan, Puerto Rico. When asked what some of her duties were, she smiled and said, “Whatever was necessary to help the soldiers to heal.”
Her story would be incomplete if the other half was omitted; the other half being a young soldier who happened to be attached to the Rehabilitation unit in the hospital as well. James Anderson Hayes was a young Army Corporal whose assignment was to teach the soldiers new skills as part of their rehabilitation. Jim, as he was known to many, was always fascinated by machinery and working with his hands. He became the photographer for the center and carried this interest for many years. Jim also taught machining and other various crafts.
It is not surprising that this young soldier’s eyes were captivated by the beautiful Caribbean Red Cross worker who was also helping others to heal through therapeutic activities. Jim courted Teddy heavily and as he puts it, “Ran into some stiff competition with the officers and other staff members who were also trying to win her heart.” In the end, she chose the talented corporal from stateside. They were married in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 15, 1949. They honeymooned on an Indian motorcycle in the beautiful Rainforest, El Junque, in the heart of the island.
After Jim was discharged from the Army, the newlyweds travelled to Louisiana and settled in the small town of Pineville. In 1954 the talented machinist with an eye for beauty started what would become Hayes Manufacturing Company. With Teddy’s business savvy and keen fiscal ability their dream flourished and endured.
This one woman’s determination, fiery spirit and intense love for her family will remain in the heart and minds of those who knew and loved her.
Teddy is preceded in death by her parents, Marcelino Inez Rios and Emilia Gomez, two brothers, Nestor and Carlos Rios and her two sisters, Elisa Cortelezzi and Emilia Mercedes.
She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, James Anderson Hayes, Sr. of Pineville; three sons, Bron Richard Hayes (Susan) of Pineville, Clifford Paul Hayes (Biela) of Pollock and James Anderson Hayes, Jr. (Cindy) of Boyce; one daughter, Sonia Chevallier of Pineville; one brother, Victor Rios of Sugarland, Texas; one sister, Virginia Garcia of San Juan, Puerto Rico; ten grandchildren, Kimberly Roberts (Stacey), Kyle Hayes, Kristin Davis (Mark), Clinton Hayes, Jason Hayes (Tiffany), Ashley Mitchell (Scott), Ashton Chevallier (Farran), Amber Crump (Trey), Chase Chevallier and Michael Chevallier; thirteen great grandchildren, Breanna Roberts, Steven Roberts, Bron Roberts, Eden Davis, Evie Davis, Madi Hayes, Jake Hayes, Drew Hayes, Lilly Hayes, Gabriella Hayes, Anderson Hayes, Juliana Crump and Audrey Crump.
Friends may call on Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball, Louisiana from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday, December 19, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, family request memorial donations be made in Teddy Hayes’ name to the Central Louisiana Red Cross, 425 Bolton Avenue, Alexandria, LA 71301.
Friends may post online messages of condolence for the Hayes family by visiting www.gallagherfh.com.
Obdulia Teodosia (Teddy) Rios Hayes was born on September 5, 1922, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After graduating from high school, Teddy attended a local business college run by the Catholic Church where she took classes for a year. She held several odd jobs before joining the USO in 1947. She was stationed in Panama for two years before returning to her island home of Puerto Rico. The USO eventually closed its office in San Juan; after a couple of months looking for a job, she was contacted by the American Red Cross and offered a job working in the rehabilitation department with their Service in Military Hospitals program. Because she was bilingual, her skills were even more important because most of the staff spoke only Spanish and the soldiers mostly spoke English.
Teddy was the assistant to the Social Service Executive for this program. She worked directly with soldiers that were rehabilitating at Rodriguez General Hospital, adjacent to El Moro, San Juan, Puerto Rico. When asked what some of her duties were, she smiled and said, “Whatever was necessary to help the soldiers to heal.”
Her story would be incomplete if the other half was omitted; the other half being a young soldier who happened to be attached to the Rehabilitation unit in the hospital as well. James Anderson Hayes was a young Army Corporal whose assignment was to teach the soldiers new skills as part of their rehabilitation. Jim, as he was known to many, was always fascinated by machinery and working with his hands. He became the photographer for the center and carried this interest for many years. Jim also taught machining and other various crafts.
It is not surprising that this young soldier’s eyes were captivated by the beautiful Caribbean Red Cross worker who was also helping others to heal through therapeutic activities. Jim courted Teddy heavily and as he puts it, “Ran into some stiff competition with the officers and other staff members who were also trying to win her heart.” In the end, she chose the talented corporal from stateside. They were married in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on January 15, 1949. They honeymooned on an Indian motorcycle in the beautiful Rainforest, El Junque, in the heart of the island.
After Jim was discharged from the Army, the newlyweds travelled to Louisiana and settled in the small town of Pineville. In 1954 the talented machinist with an eye for beauty started what would become Hayes Manufacturing Company. With Teddy’s business savvy and keen fiscal ability their dream flourished and endured.
This one woman’s determination, fiery spirit and intense love for her family will remain in the heart and minds of those who knew and loved her.
Teddy is preceded in death by her parents, Marcelino Inez Rios and Emilia Gomez, two brothers, Nestor and Carlos Rios and her two sisters, Elisa Cortelezzi and Emilia Mercedes.
She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, James Anderson Hayes, Sr. of Pineville; three sons, Bron Richard Hayes (Susan) of Pineville, Clifford Paul Hayes (Biela) of Pollock and James Anderson Hayes, Jr. (Cindy) of Boyce; one daughter, Sonia Chevallier of Pineville; one brother, Victor Rios of Sugarland, Texas; one sister, Virginia Garcia of San Juan, Puerto Rico; ten grandchildren, Kimberly Roberts (Stacey), Kyle Hayes, Kristin Davis (Mark), Clinton Hayes, Jason Hayes (Tiffany), Ashley Mitchell (Scott), Ashton Chevallier (Farran), Amber Crump (Trey), Chase Chevallier and Michael Chevallier; thirteen great grandchildren, Breanna Roberts, Steven Roberts, Bron Roberts, Eden Davis, Evie Davis, Madi Hayes, Jake Hayes, Drew Hayes, Lilly Hayes, Gabriella Hayes, Anderson Hayes, Juliana Crump and Audrey Crump.
Friends may call on Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball, Louisiana from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Monday, December 19, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.
In lieu of flowers, family request memorial donations be made in Teddy Hayes’ name to the Central Louisiana Red Cross, 425 Bolton Avenue, Alexandria, LA 71301.
Friends may post online messages of condolence for the Hayes family by visiting www.gallagherfh.com.
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