Betty Marie Hayes

Betty Marie Hayes
1936 - 2023

Born December 1, 1936, in Jenks, Oklahoma, Betty was the daughter of Fred and Madge (Varnesdel) Bell. Betty was also welcomed by two older sisters, Tootsie and Virginia. Raised in Jenks, Betty would grow up with a boy named Troy Hayes. As the world turned, this relationship turned into love. The two married November 23, 1951 in the same home where Betty was born! Betty and Troy would welcome two sons: Rickey, in 1952, and Randy, in 1956.

With a life devoted to serving, Betty was a great encouragement and support to Troy through his years of serving as a pastor. His calling would have the Hayes family move to Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1963, serving at Buckner Baptist Church. Ten years later, they would return home, to Jenks, where they continued to serve in the church.

Always ready with a smile and hug, Betty provided many tasks for the church and certainly her family. At church, she would clean, play piano, lead Sunday school, and was a part of the Sunshine Committee. At home, she prepared a family lunch every Sunday including delicious desserts. She was certainly known for her specialties, such as chicken and noodles, banana pudding, and coconut cream pie! Betty also loved to sew and was quite the seamstress! This would prove to be a nice outlet for her and helped to keep her active following Troy's passing in 2013.

Outside of the church and home, Betty worked as a supervisor for Bryant Infant Wear and as a receptionist at Ninde Funeral Home in Jenks. Betty's sweet and gentle demeanor will certainly be missed by those who knew and loved her. At the same time, her family rejoices knowing she is with her Savior and family who have gone before her.

Betty passed from this life on the Lord's Day, Sunday, July 16, 2023 in Tulsa. She was 86.

She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Troy; her sisters, Tootsie Grumer and Virginia Palmer.


She is survived by: her sons: Randy Hayes and wife, Beth of Jenks; Rickey Hayes and wife, Kathy of Broken Arrow; grandchildren: Melissa Laidley (John) of Owasso; Travis Hayes of Broken Arrow and Nathan Hayes of Seattle, WA; great-grandchildren: Alicia Hayes and James and Anna Laidley; and by a special caregiver, Denise Warner.

Services to honor and celebrate the life of Betty Marie Hayes will be 10:00 am Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Bethel Baptist Church, Jenks.


Visitation will be 6-8:00pm Wednesday at Bixby South Tulsa Funeral Service.

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