Fay Dodsworth Beeks Hayes

            We are gathered here this afternoon to bear witness to our hope in the resurrection, the resurrection of all who are buried in Jesus Christ our Lord and the resurrection of Fay Dodsworth Beeks Hayes.  Fay died a week ago Thursday.  She was 85.

            Fay Beeks was born here in Richmond, VA, in 1922, the middle of the three daughters of Jessie Fay Dodsworth and Henry Simpson Beeks.  Even though her father was a dentist, her parents did not trust hospitals, and Fay, like her sisters, was born at home. The family home was on Maplewood Avenue in Byrd Park, not far from her father’s dental office.  Her father was well respected, but like most families, Fay’s struggled during the depression years of her childhood.  Fay attended John B. Cary and Fox elementary schools, Binford Junior High School, and Thomas Jefferson High school, graduating in 1940. 

            Based on written recollections of her childhood and young adulthood, Fay was a sociable child who enjoyed her friends, a respectable good time, and the social dimensions of school.  Two features of her childhood stand out, and both had lasting influences on her life.  One were the art classes Fay took from Theresa Pollack, who introduced her to a lifelong passion and avocation for painting.  The other was the house her father built on the Rappahannock River in 1928.  For the rest of her childhood, Fay and her sisters and mother spent the entire summer at the “Rivah”, with her father coming down on weekends.  For the rest of her life, that house and the river environment remained a source of refreshment and renewal for Fay and a center of her family’s life.

            After high school Fay attended first William and Mary, then Stephens College in Missouri, before graduating from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1944, with a liberal arts degree.  After graduation Fay stayed on in Chapel Hill for several years, working for local merchants.  She must have watched her pennies pretty carefully, as within three years she had saved $4000.  She was called home to Richmond unexpectedly in 1947, when her father had a heart attack.  Being the only woman in the family who could drive a car, she took over the car transport duties during her father’s recovery.

            With the war’s end, returning servicemen flooded the schools, workplace, and the lives of eligible young women like Fay.  Fay was working at Beechnut Packing here in Richmond when a chance meeting with a childhood acquaintance resulted in her marriage.

            Fay was sent to pick up a new suit for her father.  As the store clerk leafed through the records, Fay spotted a familiar name – except it was for a “size 40” suit, and the man she remembered was a skinny young boy from high school whom she had never paid any mind.

            Apparently his military service had filled out Clyde Hayes too skinny frame.  The two began dating, going to William and Mary and UNC football games.  Within three months Clyde proposed on a date at a popular West Broad restaurant called “Chicken in the Rough”. (the term referred to broasted chicken, common now, but not then)  The couple hoped for a spring wedding, but Fay’s father was building a new home in Windsor Farms in 1949, and wanted to have the reception there.  Clyde and Fay were married 59 years ago this last Wednesday, October 1, 1949.  Fay remembered it was a fine reception in her parent’s new back yard – even if grass was hard to find.  They spent 39 years together before Clyde’s death in 1986, and adopted two children, Betty Jean and Robley, and had a third, Susan.

            At the time of their marriage, Clyde was already working for US Gypsum and living in Newport News.  Shortly they moved back to Richmond, living first on north side and the near west end before settling here in Bon Air.  Fay stayed at home and managed the household and their growing family.  Clyde was on the road most of the time.  Summers were spent at the family river house, interrupted by the occasional out of town family vacation.

            When her younger daughter Susan entered school, Fay returned to college and took education courses at VCU to be certified as an elementary teacher.  She didn’t think too much of the classes, and actually never intended or wanted to be a teacher.  But she became one in 1964, and what she intended to be an eight year stint turned out to be 20.  She retired in 1984, having taught elementary, middle school, serving as an assistant principal, helping to launch the math and science center, and earning a master’s degree in education from VCU.  She also made lasting friendships with her teaching colleagues.

            Fay was a woman of tremendous patience, which was a valuable trait to have when your three children were three years apart in age.  By her own admission, she only tolerated the necessity of housework, preferring to put more energy into her children’s homework.  She also preferred to devote her energies to celebrating the milestones of her children’s lives.

            Fay was a life-long artist, who in retirement, found the time to express her artistic side, if not full time, at least actively part-time. Her paintings fill her house, her friends’ homes, and her church.  With some friends she also launched a little company, “Saucy Seniors”, selling hand made products in local stores.  And she played bridge. For both the fellowship with her friends, and for the game itself.  In retirement she continued to enjoy the river, of course, but she also took the opportunity to travel abroad and around the country.  On trips to Italy, Spain, and Greece she was able to link her travels with her art, taking painting excursions.  A pilgrimage to the 2000 production of the Oberammergau Passion play was a highlight of her travels.  Whether home or traveling, Fay stayed on the go.  One of her daughters remarked she was the only retired person she knew that maintained a day planner to keep her schedules straight!

From her parents, Fay said she received three gifts that guided her throughout her life:  faith, honesty, and loyalty.  Fay’s children are grateful for the gifts of joy, good humor, optimistic spirit, and confident hope they received from their mother.

            Fay’s father was a Baptist, and her mother a Presbyterian.  Since her father often had to work in his lab on Sundays, the Presbyterian Church early on won out.  Fay was baptized, confirmed, and married in Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.  With Clyde she later was a member of Tuckahoe Presbyterian, and since 1964, a member here at Bon Air Presbyterian. Fay was an active member of her circle. She was on a Wednesday night cooking team and the team which prepared meals for the grieving or families in crisis. She was an office volunteer. She participated in the Mature Moderns seniors group, and was a mainstay in worship.  Fay shared artistic gifts with her church, and her paintings beautify the halls and offices of her church.  Her annual Thanksgiving cornucopia adorned the sanctuary, and was an expression of her deep gratitude for God’s blessings.

            Fay Hayes was predeceased by her husband Clyde.  She is  survived by her children, Robley Hayes and wife, Robin; Betty Jean Hayes Greiner and husband, Paul; and Susan Hayes; two grandsons, Derek and Travis Greiner; two sisters, Jean Marston and Betty Eure; many nieces, great-nieces and nephews, cherished friends including fellow teachers, artists, bridge partners, church members and neighbors.

Now, having gathered for our mutual support and to hear the comfort of the scriptures, let us worship God:

R. Charles Grant

Bon Air Presbyterian Church

Richmond, Virginia

October 4, 2008