Ruth Marie Hayes, of Jones Chapel Road, Columbia - the Gradyville community - passed on to a better place on Friday, May 22, 2009 after a very courageous battle with cancer. She was 84.

She was a daughter of the late Johnny James and Amanda Baker Sneed, and the widow of Noel "Gabby" Hayes, who preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 2004 after a marriage of 55 years.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Hayes was preceded in death by eight brothers and three sisters - Frank, Harve, Taft, Payne, Cassius, Elbert, Garnett and Clifton Sneed, Mary Lizzie Coomer, Armedia Hamlett and Dorothy Buchanan.

She is survived by two daughters and a son - Cathy Morris and her husband Michael of Louisville, Susan Loy and her husband Dwayne of Glensfork and Paul B. Hayes of Columbia; six grandchildren - Chris Morris, LeeAnn Morris and Andy Morris, all of Louisville, Lisa Case and her husband Justin of Lexington, Ben Loy and his wife Nikki of Glensfork, and Adam Loy of Greensburg, IN; and three great grandchildren - Mazie Case, Liam Case and Lily Loy.

Also surviving are a large number of other relatives and many, many friends.

Mrs. Hayes worked at Union Underwear in Campbellsville for a number of years, and she and her late husband were co-owners of B & H Pool and Lunch in Columbia. She later worked part-time at Moore's Pool Room until health issues forced her to finally retire.

She had professed her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church for over 70 years.

The funeral service will be Monday, May 25, 2009 at 1 p.m. at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Dooley officiating. Interment will be in the Jones Chapel Cemetery.

Visitation after 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Chris Morris, Andy Morris, Ben Loy, Adam Loy, Randall Hamlett, Richard Hamlett and Doug Sneed.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of a donation to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Central Kentucky and may be made at the funeral home.

You may view this obituary and sign a guest book online at www.stottsphelpsmcquearyfh.com.

Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Visitation : after 3:00 P. M. Sunday May 24 2009 at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home

Services : Monday May 25 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home

Interment : Jones Chapel CemeteryN