Alice Louise Hays

Alice Louise Hays, 91, formerly of Galesburg, died at 10:27 a.m. Friday, November 28, 2015, in Hospice Home of High Point, North Carolina.

She was born April 9, 1924, in Galesburg, the daughter of Nacy Edward and Ida Mae (Rush) Wilkins.  She married Richard H. Gaines August 9, 1941 in Kahoka, Missouri.  He preceded her in death on January 29, 1994.  She later married Joe Hays on July 7, 2000 in Galesburg.  He preceded her in death on January 6, 2004.

She is survived by a daughter-in-law, Charlotte Gaines of Galesburg; nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and two special nieces who helped care for her, Sharon Cruz and Debra Passmore.  In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Jim Gaines in 1994 and Richard E. “Eddie” Gaines on November 22, 2015; a brother, Harold Wilkins; two sisters, Dorothy Jean Green and Shirley Wilkins; and a granddaughter, Susan Marie.

Louise was raised and educated in Galesburg.  In 1966, she moved to North Carolina, where she worked in a furniture factory.  In 1990, she moved back to Galesburg from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  She lived here until moving to Colorado in 2012 and back to North Carolina in 2014.  Louise was associated with Calvary Assembly of God Church in Galesburg.  She was a member of Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post 285 Auxiliary in Galesburg.

Visitation will be 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 4, 2015 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel.  Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens.  Pastor Jeremie Kilgore will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Louise’s name may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.