Alice M Hayes

January 18, 1928 - March 24, 2022

Alice M. Hayes, age 94, died on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Heritage Health, Normal, IL. Alice Marie Cutler was born January 18, 1928 in Decatur, IL to Charles F. Cutler, a rough-edged WWI veteran and Dorothy A. (Buskirk), daughter of a rural Baptist minister. Her early years were spent in a modest home her dad built on East Mueller Avenue. What she lacked in wealth, she gained in spirit. Her fondest childhood memory was holding her Grandpa Buskirk’s hand as he told her about the love of Christ while they picked violets at Tower Hill, IL. As a teen, Alice and sister Opal, began a singing trio with friend Shirley Short at the 3rd UB Church. Alice loved to sing. Alice met a female missionary and planned to become one herself in China. China’s borders were closed with WWII, and her course changed. Alice spent one year at Greenville College before returning home. She met war divorcee/navy veteran, Harold Hayes, Jr., and married him on September 19, 1947. The couple had six children. Her life was not easy, but she loved to do many things including portraiture, painting, crocheting and quilting. Alice was an accomplished artist, good at creating things and sharing her love of Christ with a kind heart. She remained strong, never gave up, and no woman could best her as a mother. She will be forever loved, remembered, and missed by her children, family and friends who knew her until they are united again. Alice was predeceased by her husband, parents, son Melvin Charles Hayes, sisters Lorraine (Don) Goveia, Opal Phee, brother Frank Cutler, sisters-in-law Rebecca Cutler, Catherine Lacey, one niece and one nephew. Surviving are her brother, Charles Cutler, Wilder, ID; children, Harold (Betty) Hayes, III, Columbus, OH, Jacqueline Phillips, Knoxville, TN, Alice (Tyler) Ely, Amarillo, TX, Larry (Sandy) Hayes, Sebring, FL, and Susan (Ryan) High, Normal, IL; nine grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Tuesday March 29, 2022, at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Chapel, Decatur, IL. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday March 29, 2022 at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. A link will be provided for those unable to travel or attend. Alice will be laid to rest at Macon County Memorial Park beside her husband and infant son. You may view the service by clicking the following link http://webcast.funeralrecording.com/events/viewer/71578/hash:D9898457DC2490C7. Memorials may be made in Alice’s honor to SmileTrain.org, the ALS Association, or Christian missions in China. Condolences may be left to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com