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Betty James (Holbird) HayesBetty was born in Springwells, Michigan in 1925. She was the only daughter of James and Mary Holbird and had three brothers, Chuck, Bill, and Foster.Betty married Raymond W. Hayes August 10, 1941 in Napoleon, Ohio. They had four children, Raymond Jeffery (Carol) Hayes, Susan Kay (Perry) Sanderson, Martin Hayes and Charles James (Marilyn) Hayes.In her early adult life, Betty was a housewife who set about raising children with little means but lots of love. Her children were the joy of her life. By her quiet example, Betty imparted to them the things she held most dear: family, hard work, patience, and honesty.Betty and her husband were major partners in RayClay Manufacturing, a machine shop in Rochester, Michigan in 1966. RayClay Manufacturing was sold to their sons, Jeff and Jim Hayes, and moved to Manton, MI in 1973. The company name changed to Hayes Manufacturing and Betty retired until her husband passed away in 1976. She then went back to work alongside her sons and their wives to grow Hayes Manufacturing into the successful business that it is today. Betty retired permanently when the company moved to Fife Lake in 1990. Nevertheless, she went to the shop every morning to see her boys, tidy up, make coffee, and visit with her many friends in the shop.Betty enjoyed reading, sewing and spending time with her family. She liked to cook, and was very good at it. She was a natural and rarely used measuring cups or spoons. Her specialties were simple: bean soup with cornbread, biscuits and gravy, apple salad, homemade bread, oatmeal and peanut butter cookies and so much more. She made the people around her feel special by the love and care she put into her meals.Betty was heartbroken by the early passing of her husband Ray, her infant son Martin, and her daughter Susan Kay Sanderson. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Chuck and Bill.Betty is survived by her sons, Jeff (Carol) Hayes and Jim (Marilyn) Hayes; her brother, Foster Holbird; 7 grandchildren, Erik Sanderson, Andrea (Kyle) Exelby, Marie (Travis) McDougall, Brian (Lynnel) Hayes, Holly (Martin) Miller, Katie (Pat) Gibson, and Penny (Roy) Challender; 11 great-grandchildren, Jason (Lisa) Miller, Jeff Miller, Emily and Joe Challender, Alex McDougall, Sarah and Michael Gibson, Kendal, Austin and Palmer Exelby, and Asher Hayes; and one great-great-grandchild, Tyler Miller.The family will have a private service to celebrate Betty's life. Cremation has taken place. Memorials may be directed to the Grand Traverse Pavilions.Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

Tributes

Betty Hayes

March 5, 1925 - November 19, 2010