History of the Eddie Lee Hayes Family
Eddie Lee Hayes was born May 15, 1886 to parents Elder and Mrs. William Hayes in Wells Station, Tennessee in Shelby County. At the age of 14, he professed a hope in Christ at St. Stephen Baptist Church. Rev. Hayes was always a diligent church worker and served as Superintendent of St. Stephen Sunday School for 14 years. It was during this time that he was called into the field of ministry. Rev. Hayes later moved to Tipton County where he was loved and respected by all. He served as Superintendent of the Tipton County Fifth Sunday Church and Sunday School Union for 29 years. He later joined the Salem Baptist Church in 1945 where he remained a member until his death. Rev. Hayes was called to pastor at St. Stevens Chapel in Railto, Tennessee, where he served as Pastor until his death.
Rev. Hayes was joined in holy matrimony with Mrs. Luizier Woods, with whom he fathered 14 children (Betty Elizabeth, Edward, Jessie, John Wesley, Robert Hugh, Juanita, Thelma, Mary Porter, Rosie Gertrude, William "Babe", Genevieve, Claudia, Alice and Carrie) and lived happily until her death separated them. He later married Minnie O. Howard on October 4, 1932, with whom he fathered one child (William Howard). Rev. Hayes and Minnie remained together until his death on the morning of October 2, 1969 at the age of 83. Rev. Hayes was buried on October 9, 1969 in the Salem Baptist Church cemetery in Mason, Tennessee.