Mr. Richard Solon Hayes, 77, of McMinnville died Friday, June 1, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

He was born July 7, 1940, in DeKalb County, retired with the rank of captain from McMinnville Fire Department after 33½ years of service, was the founding owner of Hayes Fire Protection, and was a member of East Side Baptist Church. Mr. Hayes was preceded in death by parents Woodrow and Leona Edwards Hayes and granddaughter Bethany Brock.

Survivors include his wife Brenda Higginbotham Hayes, children Rick (Leslie) Hayes, Dewey (Melody) Brock, Janice (Garry) Cornett, Gerry (Donna) Brock, and Terry Brock, 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, sisters Nell Gann, Nadine Black, and Doris Kovalcik, and brother Ronnie (Susan) Hayes. Other family members and friends also survive.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday, June 4, at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Jim Hunt will officiate. Interment will follow at New Union Cemetery on Hwy. 30. The Hayes family will receive friends Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m., and again Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the parlors of McMinnville Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may be made at www.mcminnvillefuneralhome.com.

McMinnville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) June 3, 2018