Denny Wayne Bays, 70, of Homer, Louisiana, went to be with our Lord on October 14, 2023, after a difficult battle with gallbladder cancer. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. Visitation will be held at the St. Margaret Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, from 5-7 pm, followed by the rosary. A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Margaret Catholic Church in Homer on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 11 am. Following Mass, a graveside service will be held at the Lisbon Methodist Cemetery.

Denny Wayne was born on June 30, 1953, in Homer, Louisiana, to Glen and Margaret Bays. He grew up in Homer and graduated from Claiborne Academy in 1971. Denny attended the Minden Technical School where he studied drafting and went on to work for the trailer plant here in Homer, where he drew house plans. Later, he went to work for Emerson Oil Company, delivering oil and gas products, before landing at the Department of Elections with the Secretary of State. He retired after working 47 years for the state.

Denny was known to be the life of the party. He met the love of his life, Michele Legendre Bays, in 1984, and they later wed in Homer on March 22, 1986. Denny had previously welcomed a daughter, Kristie Bays Beeson, and Michele had a son, Christopher Bernard Ebarb. They completed their blended family when they welcomed their son, Dustin, and they were much more than father and son. They were best friends, hunting buddies, and they could often be found with fishing poles in the early mornings.

Denny was a man of God and dedicated his life to serving our Lord. He joined the Catholic Church in 1996 and spent the rest of his days devoted to the Catholic faith.

Denny Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Margaret Bays, brother-in- law, Jerry Coleman Sr., niece, Leslie Bays, and father-in-law, Leonard Legendre.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Michele Legendre Bays (Homer), daughter Kristie Bays Beeson and husband Daniel (Haughton), Dustin Bays (Homer), step-son Christopher Ebarb and his beloved golden retriever, Sandy. He had three grandchildren that he loved dearly; Haley McCoy, Cade Ebarb, and Gabriella Ebarb, all of Haughton. He is also survived by his sister, Glenda Coleman McKenzie and husband, Charlie (Homer), brother, David Bays and wife, Amy (Homer), mother-in-law, June McClure and husband, Roy (Homer), brother-in-law, Mike Legendre and wife, Amy (Homer), sister-in-law, Debbie Easterling and husband, RJ (Homer), and brother-in-law, Kevin Legendre and wife Melissa (Decatur, TX).

Denny was a favorite and will be missed by his numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers for the service will be nephews Jerry Coleman, Jr., John Brown, Joshua Legendre, Stephen Legendre, Layton Bays, and family friend, Caleb Tidwell.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bubba Powell, Jerry Smith, Charlie McKenzie, Ronald Day, Randy Pugh, Mike Legendre, David Brown, David Bays, RJ Easterling, Kevin Legendre and RJ Easterling..

Special thanks to the Claiborne Memorial Medical Center, LSU Ochsner (Shreveport), Willis Knighton Cancer Center, Christus Highland and MD Anderson (Houston). In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Margaret Catholic Church of Homer, PO Box 799, Minden, LA 71055 or the American Cancer Society in memory of Denny Wayne Bays.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel  (318) 927-6110