Bernice Evelyn Hays

Mrs. Bernice Evelyn Hays, age 83 of Hiawassee, Georgia, passed away Sunday, October 7, 2012 at Chatuge Regional Nursing Home in Hiawassee. Mrs. Hayes was born in Austell, Georgia, on Friday, December 14, 1928, a daughter of the late Oscar Burdette and the late Fannie Taylor Burdette. Mrs. Hayes had been living in the Hiawassee area for 11 years, and moved here from Fayetteville, Georgia. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Hiawassee. She had been preceded in death by her husband, Edward Benson Hays, who passed away in 2005; and a grandson, Russell Hays.

Mrs. Hayes leaves behind her loving family: son and daughter-in-law, Bradley and Judy Hays, of Hiawassee; son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Michelle Hays, of Locust Grove, Georgia; daughter and son-in-law, Faye and Ken Foster, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Diane Hays, of Gay, Georgia; and daughter and son-in-law, Lea Ann and Steven Georgeades, of Buffalo, New York; three sisters: Elizabeth Fuller, of Flowery Branch, Georgia; Lou Etta Bailey, of Moreland, Georgia; Lois Howell, of Fayetteville, Georgia; and brother, Joe Burdette, of Newnan, Georgia; Grandchildren: Stacy Harper, Lea Ann Shapiro, Ron Foster, Ginger Willingham, Bradley Hays, Angie Ingram, Richie Essenburg, April Sikes, Brandie Sikes, Daniel Hays, Douglas Hays; twenty-three great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren also survive.

Memorial services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at Macedonia Baptist Church, with Rev. Harold Ledford officiating.

Flowers will be gladly accepted.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee. Please share your condolences with the family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.