Roderick "Roddy" Wooten Hayes, 68, of Nichols and husband of Evelyn Hayes, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, March 16, 2024 with his family by his side.

Roddy graduated from Floyds High School and attended East Carolina University. Roddy was a farmer in the Spring Branch community in Horry County and later worked for many years with Southern States. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was also a dedicated member of Spring Branch Baptist Church. As a member there, he served as a deacon of the church and a loyal member of the choir. Roddy was involved in an automobile accident one evening on his way to church which resulted in paralysis. He did not want his life to be defined by the injury; but rather, he wanted his life to be a testimony of his strong faith in God and his love for his family. His story is the epitome of inspiration, courage, and love as he lived out that testimony.

Roddy was predeceased by his parents, Leo and Barbara Hayes and a sister, Connie Clark.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years Evelyn Turbeville Hayes; daughters, Stacey Whiteis and her husband, Brad of Conway and Megan Hayes and her husband, Aarjave Shah of Carbondale, Colorado; his grandchildren, Carter and Harrison Whiteis; his siblings, Janice Duncan of Columbia, Cathy Doyle (Larry) of Fort Motte, Donna Guyton (Willie) of Mullins, Brenna Doyle (Charlie) of Florence, Stuart Hayes (Gayle) of Fair Bluff, Tony Hayes (Jamie) of Canton, Georgia, Sabra Mankin of Chapin and Brad Thompson of Little Mountain; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, 2024 in the Fellowship Hall of Spring Branch Baptist Church. A celebration of life will follow the visitation on Tuesday, beginning at 4:00 p.m.in the sanctuary with Reverend Jay Black and Reverend Jonathan Barbee officiating. A committal service will be held in the church cemetery.

If you would like to remember Roddy, the family suggests memorials be made in his memory to Spring Branch Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, 6710 Church Loop, Nichols, South Carolina 29581.

The family would like to thank Roddy's caregivers of the past five years, Cynthia Williams, Nikki Williams, Lisa Nance and Andrenna Williams for the love and care they provided Roddy.

An online guestbook is available at www.mearesfh.com.

Meares Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hayes family.