Johnnie Sue Hayes Obituary

Johnnie Sue Hayes, 86, of Beech Bluff, TN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN.

Born on September 9, 1938, in Beech Bluff, she was the daughter of the late Grady J. Fowler, Sr. and Irene Blankenship Fowler. A graduate of West Tennessee Business College, she dedicated nearly 30 years of service to Jackson Utility Division, now Jackson Energy Authority, before retiring in 2000.

In 1960, she married the love of her life, Roy Dee Hayes, and together they built a family rooted in faith and love. Roy preceded her in death in 2004.

A lifelong resident of Beech Bluff, Johnnie Sue was a devoted member of Maple Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church. There, she was an active participant in the Cumberland Presbyterian Women's ministry and Vacation Bible School for many years, dedicating her time and energy to the spiritual growth of her community. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, and her relationship with Jesus Christ guided her words, actions, and the way she loved others. She lived with a deep trust in God’s goodness and grace. Her unwavering faith, boundless optimism, and quiet strength were the foundation of how she lived and how she loved.

She was a dedicated mother, a loving Nana to her grandchildren, and adored her great-grandchildren. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, whom she cherished deeply, and she poured love, wisdom, and joy into each generation. She loved to support her family in sharing their talents and was always their biggest fan.

She also had a love for travel and adventure, whether she was riding a hot air balloon in Australia, cruising along the Alaskan coast, or riding roller coasters with her grandchildren. Some of her fondest memories were made in the Smokey Mountains, surrounded by her family and friends. Johnnie Sue had a zest for life and made friends everywhere she went with her contagious smile and charming sense of humor.

In her later years, she resided at Brookdale Jackson Oaks and Regency Retirement Villages, where she received incredible love and care from the teams there.

She is survived by her daughter, Daphne Johnson and her husband Claude "Junior" Johnson of Beech Bluff, TN; her son, Tracy R. Hayes and his wife Tracy K. Hayes of Milan, TN; her brother, Gary Fowler and his wife Karen of Beech Bluff, TN; and her sister-in-law, Carolyn Fowler, of Beech Bluff, TN. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Courtney Sobieralski and her husband Robbie, Collin Johnson and his wife Bridget, Kyndal Stockdale and her husband Jagger, and Chynna Hayes. She also leaves behind her beloved great-grandchildren: Harper Sobieralski, Phoebe Sobieralski, Charli Johnson, and Walker Johnson. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Grady Fowler Jr., and her close companion and family friend, Joe Collins.

SERVICES: Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing until 1:00 p.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. at Maple Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Justin Griffin, Karen Fowler, and Rev. Curtis Howard officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Blankenship, Chris Fowler, Colby Fowler, Collin Johnson, Robbie Sobieralski and Jagger Stockdale.

Honorary pallbearers will be Clois Duke, Anthony Fowler, Robert Fowler, Larry Gullett and Jimmy Henley.

The family is requesting that memorial donations be directed to Maple Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 2005 Maple Springs Road, Jackson, TN 38313.