Benny H. Hayes

Benny H. Hayes, 78, of Bainbridge, passed away Saturday, September 27, 2025.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dr. Philbert BadreSingh officiating. Interment will follow at Oak City Cemetery with Eric Duke, Cuyler Duke, Wesley Gill, Jamie Elkins, Aubrey Hand, and Austin Wade serving as active pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to First Church of God, 901 E. College Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

Benny Harrell Hayes was born October 6, 1946, in Donalsonville, GA, the son of Howell & Eltrym Cannon Hayes. He attended Jakin School until its closure in 1963 and graduated from Seminole County High School, Class of 1964. After graduation, Benny enlisted in the United States Air Force. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. Benny returned stateside in 1966 and was stationed at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan. During this stint, he married the love of his life, Mary Grace Zorn, and following a quick honeymoon to Panama City Beach, made K.I. Sawyer their home until his discharge.

Shortly afterwards, Benny began his career with Seaboard Coastline Railroad (later CSX Railroad). After an early retirement in 1989, he began traveling the United States as a construction manager for Elzinga & Volkers Professional Services. He finally parked his travel trailer in 2016. While continuing his partnership with Polka Dots and Bainbridge Engraving, Benny enjoyed riding his golf cart around town, visiting with his people, and participating in veteran events.

Community was always important to Benny. He felt a strong sense of duty to serve others. In the 70s he was a Freemason and Shriner, served in the Bainbridge Jaycees, and the Decatur County Rescue Unit. He was also instrumental in organizing the 97 South Volunteer Fire Department. Benny stepped into the political arena serving a four-year term as Decatur County Commissioner for District 5.

Without a doubt, you always knew where Benny stood on the issues. He had a plan; sometimes the plan developed in the midst of the action, but rarely was Benny rattled. Family was most important as Benny's children and grands can testify. His love language was to pick on his favorites, and he could take it as well as he dished it. One thing about it, he could poke at them, but you had Benny to deal with if you crossed a line.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary Grace Zorn Hayes; his girls, Angela Hayes Duke (Eric) and Kristy Hayes Elkins (Jamie); his grandchildren, Larsyn Duke Gill (Wesley), Addie Elkins Hand (Aubrey), Cuyler Duke, Ella Elkins Worthington (Cain); his great-grands, Graydon Hand and Emsley Gill; his sisters, Marie Frasier (Gary) and Martha Ree Parker (Steve); and a host of extended family. In addition to his parents, Benny was preceded in death by his twin brother, Billy Howell Hayes, and his sister and brother-in-law, Faye & Larry Chesnut.