Preston "Jr." Hays

Funeral service for Preston Lee Hays, Jr., 89, will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 10:00 AM for visitation and 2:00 PM for services at Crossroads Baptist Church in Marthaville, LA with Bro. Dean Crittenden officiating. Internment will be in Beulah Methodist Church Cemetery in Marthaville, LA.

Preston was born June 7, 1935, to Preston L. Hays, Sr. and Bessie Cotton Hays and passed April 20, 2025, in Many, LA.

He worked hard as a cattle and chicken farmer and was an avid truck driver throughout his life. He was a hard-working man and loved to help his family, friends, and neighbors whenever he could. His joy in life was hitching his mules to his wagon and riding all day. He will surely be missed by all of us.

Preston was preceded in death by his first love, Gaylnn Cochran Hays; parents, Preston Hays, Sr. and Bessie Cotton Hays; stepmother, Lorraine S. Hays; brothers, Gorden Hays and Orlan Hays; sister, Gene Sims; and a loving daughter-in-law, Carol Lauw Hays. He is survived by his siblings, Dorothy Murphy, Ronald (Potty) Hays, Fred Hays, Sr., and Tommy Dale Hays; sons, Joe Hays (Jackie) and Randal (Chub) Hays; five granddaughters, Jaime Hays Bruce (Richie), Jodi Hays Easterling (Dana), Joni Hays Bell (Shane), Kiley Hays and Laci Hays; great-grandchildren, MaKenzie Bruce Carey (Chase), Zachary Bruce, Catherine Dunnam, Makayla Dunnam, Joseph Dunnam, Ayden Byles, Asher Byles, Roper Hays (Trinity), Josie White and Raylee Ann Hays; great-great-grandchildren, Leland Fisk and Maverick Carey; a beloved partner of more than 20 years, Ms. Faye Goings; and extended family, Greg Goings (Lisa) and grandson, Josh Goings.

Honoring Preston as pallbearers will be James Tatum, Roper Hays, Zachary Bruce, Ayden Byles, Tony Cochran, and Greg Cochran. Honorary pallbearers will be Asher Byles, Chase Carey, Josh Goings, Greg Davis and Joseph Dunnam.