Harrell Ray Hayes

Harrell Ray Hayes, 87, of Tarkington Prairie, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, May 25, 2013, with his family at his side. He was born March 13, 1926, in Celeste, TX, to Floyd B. and Tressie (Milton) Hayes. He married Mozelle Mathews on November 4, 1946 in Greenville, TX. Harrell was a hard working husband, father and grandfather. He retired from the Houston Fire Department in 1979, after 27 years of service as a firefighter. After retirement, he and his wife Mozelle, owned and operated Shade Grocery in the Tarkington community for 9 years. Harrell proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was a great and respectable man who will be truly missed by his family and all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Opal Hayes. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mozelle Hayes; daughters, Kathy Darby (and Curtis), and Karen Blum (and David); grandchildren, Dalton Blum, Sydney Blum, Colton Darby and Cameron Darby; and honorary son, Guy Koenig. Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 27, 2013, at Pace Stancil Funeral Home Chapel, Cleveland, TX, with Rev. Harold Blum officiating. Interment followed at Oak Shade Cemetery. Pallbearers were David Blum, Dalton Blum, Curtis Darby, Colton Darby, Cameron Darby and Guy Koenig. Honorary pallbearers were Frank Gilbert, Kenneth Bryan, Harold Hendrix and Milton Parks. The family received friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM Sunday, May 26, 2013, at Pace Stancil Funeral Home, Cleveland, TX.