Samuel Ethridge Hays (1921-2008), left his home in Alabama at the age of 16 and headed west. It wasn’t for treasure or adventure, but to help feed the family during the Great Depression. President Roosevelt’s New Deal had created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for young men to work on the nations’ ruined farmlands, roads, levees but mostly revitalizing the nation’s forestlands. Over 3.5 million men worked in the CCC program and planted more than 3 billion trees. Sam Hays found himself in Oregon, a long way from Alabama. Of the $30 each young man was paid each month, $25 was allotted home to his family, and in the depression-era, that meant the family had money for food. That hard work and sense of responsibility was a way of life that stayed with him throughout his lifetime. He came back home in 1939, but before long the world was at war, and this took him even father west to the Pacific where he served with the 608th Medical Clearing Company during World War II in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. Sam Hays of Morris, passed away on April 12, 2008. He left behind his wife of 60 years, Marie Nesbitt Hays; son, Steve Hays of Hokes Bluff; daughters, Brenda Hays of Marietta, Ga., Robin Haynes (Bill) of Mt. Olive, Sheila Hays of Gardendale; eight grandchildren, Eugene and Brandon Adams of Kennesaw, Ga., Steve Hays, Jr., Shannon, Paul, Terry, and Brian Hays of Morris, and Jessica Womack of Pell City; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. His son, Ronald Hays, predeceased him in 2001. Sam, or Sammy as many who grew up with him knew him, was the last surviving offspring of ten children born to Oliver Dow Hays and Lula Victoria Reno Hays. He is predeceased by his parents; six sisters, Rilla, Elnora, Clovie, Bobbie, Evelyn and Juanita; and three brothers, Oscar, Hubert, and Garland. Mr. Hays worked for the Birmingham City Board of Education retiring after 30 years of service. He was a member of the Hewitt Masonic Lodge, the Birmingham Chapter of York Rite Bodies, Zamora Shriners, and the VFW Club of Fultondale. Mr. Hays was known for growing a big garden each year, always trying to grow the perfect tomato. He took great pleasure in providing fresh vegetables to friends and those in need. In that spirit, the family suggests donations to your local Meals-on-Wheels program. Funeral services were at Gardendale Funeral Home Chapel with graveside services at Hays Cemetery. Pastor Randy Hays officiated. Messages of comfort and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.gardendalefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by locally owned and operated Gardendale Funeral Home, 631-8810. (formerly Morgan’s @ Gardendale)

Gardendale Funeral Home, 2214 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071, (205) 631-8810, www.GardendaleFuneralHome.com