Joan Rewey Hayes

There was celebrating in Heaven… for the homecoming of a faithful saint, Joan Elaine (Rewey) Hayes. Joan Hayes, of Buford, GA, age 90, passed away on Monday, December 31, 2018. Joan was born on April 22, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI to late George Willis and Helen Dorothy (Taylor) Rewey. She was preceded in death by infant brother Donald, and granddaughter Vanessa Lynn Hayes. Survivors include husband of 70 years Clifford Hayes, Buford GA; sister Oneta Nelson, Martinsville, IN; sons/daughter and daughters/son in laws: Rodney G (Diane) Hayes, Green Cove Springs, FL; Paul W (Charisse) Hayes, Buford GA; Chris A (Tina) Hayes, Cummin, GA; Laurie (Hayes Shumaker) (Ray) Stell, Green Cove Springs, FL; grandchildren: Renee M (Brian) Davis, Ryan M (Jacqueline) Bryant-Hayes, Brett D (Kristina) Shumaker, Drew J (Karena) Hayes, Matthew G Shumaker, Sean C Hayes; and 13 great grandchildren. We are sure she was greeted at 'the gates' by many of her Zion-Benton Township High School classmates (Class of 1945); by scores of saints blessed by her teaching at school, church, Pioneer Clubs, or bible studies; and by family and friends who have gone before. She taught in the public school system her entire adult working life in Freeport IL, Beach Park IL, and Waukegan, IL. She was a charter and life long member of the Beach Community Bible Church where she taught Sunday School and Bible classes, played the piano and organ, sang in the choir or ensembles, and served in any other way she could. She nurtured her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with her love of music, reading, and hospitality (she loved hosting friends for meals and holiday gatherings). We remember many missionaries staying in our home during their furloughs or church visits having been blessed by years of sacrificial support from Mom & Dad because she and Dad believed ALL of us are part of the Great Commission. We loved her because we KNEW she loved us no matter what, and that she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus, even more than us. She was the matriarch of "our clan", and we were blessed because of her unfailing prayers on our behalf, wherever we might have been in our lives. She enjoyed traveling and saw more of the USA and the world than many. After retirement, she spent the summers of five years traveling to mainland China to challenge, teach, and encourage Chinese teachers of English in their school system. Our family has been shaped and cultivated by her in ways that will reap a "golden harvest" for generations to come. Her faith and confidence in the lessons and promises of scripture are at the foundation of all that is OUR FAMILY. God blessed you, Mom. We love you, and will miss you. But we are looking forward to the great family reunion to come when we will be celebrating and worshipping together at the feet of our Savior. God has indeed blessed us through you. A livestream of the service can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3794789