Carolyn Deborah "Debbie" Hayes

Carolyn Deborah “Debbie” Hayes, age 70, of Ozark, Arkansas, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born February 14, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland to Dorothea Regina Hickman Porter. After leaving Baltimore for the Ozarks at age 22, building a home and a family, Debbie courageously went back to school to become a registered nurse at the age of 35. During her 32-year nursing career, she helped many in her community and had a natural gift for serving others. She was very conscientious in serving her patients with dignity, respect, and true compassion. She and her family enjoyed traveling, taking many trips over the years to Montana, Oregon, Maryland, and many more. She was a lover of the great outdoors, enjoyed caring for her charm of hummingbirds, tending to and getting stung by her honeybees, spotting bears with her dogs, flower gardening, hiking, and visiting the ocean. Her greatest joy in life came from admiring her three beautiful children and three grandchildren. She was loving and compassionate, and her warm personality will be deeply missed. Debbie will forever live on in our hearts, our stories, and our memories. Debbie is preceded in death by her mother; her grandparents, Laurence Livingstone Hickman and Dorothy Marie Hennig Hickman. Debbie is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, Harold Elmer “Bo” Hayes Jr. and their children, Jason Hayes (Melissa), Megan Tedford (Chris), and Jeremy Hayes (Anna). She was affectionately known as “MiMi” by her three grandchildren, Drew Tedford, Dane Tedford, and Jackson Hayes. She also leaves behind her stepfather of 53 years, Albert Porter, as well as four sisters, Heidi Pope and husband Bruce, Kimmy Young, Laurie Sedghi, and Pat Nile; and one sister-in-law, Belinda Giordano all of Baltimore; multiple nieces of nephews; and countless friends who she meant so much to. Memorial services will be 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Shaffer Funeral Home 2315 West Commercial Street in Ozark, with Deacon Brian Lachowsky officiating. Cremation arrangements were made under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a Debbie Hayes Memorial Nursing Scholarship has been established in her honor and gifts may be made at Bank OZK (at: “Debbie’s Memorial Account” ending in 2540) or via Paypal @debbiehayesmemorial. Memoriam gifts may also be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an organization she loved dearly. “A Mother holds her children’s hands for a while…their hearts forever.” To leave an online memorial visit www.shafferfuneralhomeweb.com

Carolyn Deborah "Debbie" Hayes

February 14, 1953 - May 10, 2023