Charles "Bud" Eugene Hayes

Charles Eugene (Bud) Hayes, age 79, of Ridge Road Lexington, NC, passed away peacefully after two years of declining health on Thursday, May 18, 2017 in the Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington, NC.    Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Center United Methodist Church by Rev. Mitch Wilson and Rev. Edward L. Evans, Jr.  Graveside internment will follow in the Center United Methodist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington, NC.  Mr. Hayes was born on November 28, 1937, in Davidson County, to Charles Groce and Edith Reich Hayes.  He was a 1956 graduate of North Davidson High School and 1959 graduate of Lenoir Rhyne College. Mr. Hayes, loved the Lord, his family and reaching out to others.  He never met a stranger, enjoyed life, being with family, and being a long-time member of Center United Methodist Church, Welcome, where he was a charter member in 1959 of the United Methodist Men and on the Administrative Board.  He was a long-time member of the Welcome Civitan Club where he served three terms as President, many terms on the Board of Directors, and was also honored in 2016 with a Life Membership in the club. He loved his cookie sales, auction sales, day trips, and watching TV.  Mr. Hayes is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Henrietta Essick Hayes, Son Kelly Eugene Hayes & wife Jean Ann Hayes of Huntersville, Sister Katy Culler (Allen) of Welcome, and Brother-in-law, John Wayne Essick (Pat) of Lexington and brother-in-law, Neil Stovall, of Lawsonville.  Also surviving are grandson, Matthew Walton & wife Nicole Walton of Concord, two great-grandchildren Liam Walton and Isobel Walton, along with numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Martha Essick, and a sister-in-law, Jean Essick Stovall.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Center United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 179, Welcome, NC 27374.  Special  thanks to Abbotts Creek  Rehab Center for their care during the past several weeks and to the Hinkle Hospice House for their care and support during his short stay there.