Josephine W. Hayes

Josephine Wilma “Josie” Hayes, 96, of Pleasant Hill, was born January 18, 1930, in La Mesa, California, the second child of Harry William and Clara Elizabeth (McClain) Brooks. She departed this life Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Foxwood Springs Care Center in Raymore.

Josie grew up in El Cajon, California, and was a 1949 graduate of the Grossmont Union High School in La Mesa.

In 1952, she met her husband, Jerry Allen Hayes, who was in the Navy serving aboard the U.S.S. Valley Forge. They were united in marriage on July 4, 1953, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and three children, Sheryl, Allen, and Kent were born to this union. Jerry preceded her in death on July 13, 2025, after 72 years of marriage.

Josie was first employed in California, for Maybelle Smith Photography as a Retoucher, as a House Cleaner, and worked for Bank of America. Later Jerry was transferred to Jacksonville, Florida, for two years before moving to Missouri, where she a full-time homemaker and worked for Colonial Poultry.

She was an active member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church where she served in many capacities including the United Methodist Women, the administrative board, and served as a Sunday School Teacher; later she became an affiliate member of the Harrisonville Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution where she traced her ancestry to the Mayflower; the Young Matrons Extension Club for over 50 years, holding all positions of the club; was a community leader for the Wal-Center 4-H Club for over 25 years where she served as project leader for knitting, crocheting, cooking, and sewing; a member of the Ore Club (a club for neighborhood women) where she served in all offices and hosted countless gatherings for over 50 years; and founded the local Just for Fun Red Hat Club where many dinners were hosted and friendships formed. She and Jerry loved to square-dance and were members of the Hoot ‘N Hollers square-dancer club. Josie also worked for the election board for 50 years starting out as a poll worker later becoming a judge for the Democratic Party.

Josie loved to sew and was an avid seamstress. She made many of Sheryl’s clothes and later after taking a tailoring class, she started making slacks and jackets, for Jerry and the boys. Her crowning achievement was the wedding dress she made for Sheryl’s wedding. She continued to make many other outfits and wedding dresses for all her family members as well as all her and Jerry’s square-dancing costumes. Later she made quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren

Josie was also preceded in death by her parents, her oldest sister, Liz Beck, twin brother, Joseph William Brooks, and her youngest sister, Dot Uehling.

She is survived by her three children, Sheryl (and Lee) White of Zephyrhills, Florida, Allen (and Tammy) Hayes of Pleasant Hill, and Kent (and Sandy) Hayes of Warsaw; five grandchildren, Stewart (and Nicky) Hayes, Collyn (and Ashley) Hayes, Ethan Hayes, Katie (and Patrick) Dillon, and Melissa Eaton; seven great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Visitation and funeral services were held Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the funeral home. Pastor Jon Spalding officiated. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Casket bearers were Stewart Hayes, Collyn Hayes, Ethan Hayes, Cleve Hicks, Lee Hicks, and Chuck Kingsolver. Honorary casket bearers were Patrick Dillon, Jerrall Hayes, Jim Hayes, Kevin Hayes, Mike Hayes, Terry Hayes, and Marcus Redford.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Croix Hospice, Harrisonville United Methodist Church, or the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church.

Arrangements: Stanley-Edenburn Funeral Home, 203 N. Armstrong St., Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080 (816) 540-5550