Mrs. Elaine Hayes, 74, of Barney, Georgia, passed away December 28, 2016 at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Georgia. She was born in Brooks County on September 27, 1942 to the late D.L. and Bertha Griffin Morrison. Mrs. Hayes was a member of Providence United Methodist Church. She lived most of her life in Cook and Brooks Counties where she worked as a bookkeeper for Big Star and Colonial Food Stores and also was the owner and operator of The Gourd Pile.

Mrs. Hayes is survived by a step-son, Fritz Hayes of Anchorage, Alaska; a step-daughter and son-in-law, Carol Ann and Charles D. Forte of Barney; five grandchildren: Gina Cook of Adel, Georgia, Chris Forte of Barney, and Jesse Cullen and Kenneth Hayes, all of Anchorage; five great-grandchildren; four brothers: Angus, Danny, Allen and Andy Morrison; three sisters: Minnie Lou Murdock, Sara Stanaland and Eleanor Bramblett. Many nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Eugene Hayes, and a sister, Jean Bennett.

The Hayes family received friends Friday evening, December 30, 2016 from 6 until 8 PM at Boone Funeral Home, 1804 S. Hutchinson Ave. in Adel. The funeral service took place at 4 PM on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Providence United Methodist Church with Rev. Sally Flowers officiating. Interment followed at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Tony Mitchell, Ivan Mitchell, Dan Bramblett, Jason Morrison, Glenn Murdock and Jared Brown served as pallbearers. Special musical selections played at the service were "Amazing Grace" and "I Saw the Light".