Elbert “King Bee” Hayes, Jr.

Obituary For Elbert “King Bee” Hayes, Jr.

Elbert “King Bee” Hayes, Jr., 101 of Madison, NC passed Friday, April 26, 2024. Public viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Perry Spencer Funeral Home, Madison, NC. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Beulah Baptist Church, 105 Wall Street, Madison, NC from 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. with funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. Internment will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Madison, NC.

Elbert Hayes, Jr., affectionally known as “King Bee” or “Junior” took his journey home, Friday, April 26, 2024 - 8:22 a.m. at Salisbury Hopice Center, Salisbury, NC. Elbert was the son of the late Elbert Hayes, Sr. and late Lucy Redd Hayes. At the time of his passing, Elbert was 2 months from celebrating his 102nd birthday. Elbert was a lifelong member of Beulah Baptist Church, Madison, NC.

Elbert served in the US Army from 1942 to 1945 and he attained the rank of Private. He was a World War II Veteran. While serving in the military, PVT Hayes was the recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Medal, Bronze Service Star, Good Conduct and Victory Medals. Elbert loved farming and deck mowing around farms and barns on his big, “Mr. Hainey” tractor. He was employed at Burlington Industries and worked as a machine cleaner and lap cutter until his retirement.

In his leisure time, Elbert loved cruising through Madison in his little “White Cadillac”, driving at a snail's pace, holding up the traffic flow, while he enjoyed the scenery. He also spent lots of time visiting people he knew at Jacobs Creek Nursing Center. Having lived for 101 years, Elbert was considered a man of wisdom. People relied on his wise council as they knew he would offer sound advice.

As we turn the pages of Elbert's life, we take note of his historical legacy. In 101 years, Elbert witnessed, firsthand, majoy historical changes in our country, such as the ending of World War II, termination of segregated military troops, the great depression, bombing of Pearl Harbor, the first African American professional baseball player (Jackie Robinson), the Vietnam War, first US citizen to walk on the moon (Neil Armstrong), the Superbowl, the end of segregation with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the beginning of the computer age and the changing of a century. First African American President, Barack Obama, and the first African American Female Vice President, Kamala Harris. God bestowed “His Highest Favor” on Elbert's life when he gifted him 101 earthly years to witness such pivotal transformations in our country's history.

In addition to his parents, Elbert was also preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Alene Hayes. Grandson, Charles Hayes, Jr. (Lil Charles); Bonus son, Clarence Malloy, son-in-law, Melvin Louis Martin, 4 siblings; Mattie Boy Redd, Gladys Galloway, Howard Hayes and Robert Lee Hayes.

Left to cherish his memory: Daughter, Mary Hayes Martin, Sandy Ridge, NC, Son; Charles Hayes, Sr. (Janet), Madison, NC, daughter-in-law, Elaine Goolsby Malloy, Madison, NC, five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.

Daddy is at peace, when the Master called him home, daddy knew his mansion, not made by hands, was calling him to come home. No more trials, tribulations, no more pain and suffering, Dad, rest on in your new home on high. With Love, Your family for life".