Nancy Eileen Hayes
July 4, 1954 ~ July 25, 2022
Marietta Southern Cremations & Funerals
Nancy Eileen Hayes (formerly Wiley) passed away at home on July 25, 2022, with her children beside her. She was 68. Nancy was an Independence baby, born on July 4, 1954, in Decatur, GA, and she graduated from Avondale High School (where she was known as Smiley Wiley) and Georgia State University. The eldest of four children born to Hubert and Miriam Wiley, she was preceded in death by both her parents and her brother, Wes Wiley. She is survived by her children, Natalie Hayes Collier (husband Jake) and Forrest Hayes, and her grandchildren (Asher, Abram, Indie and Ivy Collier) and two sisters, Peggy Gross (husband Jim) and Wendy Perreault (husband Joe), as well as her niece Rachel Khan (husband Raz; son Phoenix) and nephews Daniel Gross (wife Sheila; son Houston and daughter Miller) and Wiley Perreault.
Nancy was a long-time employee of Emory University, working in the Ophthalmology Department, where she was a friend to many who passed through the cornea and refractive surgery Fellowship program. She followed some of the Emory refractive surgeons to Emory Vision Correction Center when it was established in the mid-1990’s, and finally took a job closer to her home with Keller Williams Realty Signature Partners in Acworth where she was Market Center Administrator and was honored with the initiation of an annual Nancy Hayes Prayer Breakfast before retiring in 2018. Regardless of where she worked, she was beloved by her co-workers for her kindness, sense of humor, empathy and listening ability, as well as her extraordinary administrative skills. She was an incredibly hard-working single mom who did all she could to take the best care of her kids. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her favorite things in life were concerts (James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Nickel Creek, Mary Chapin Carpenter) and arts festivals, especially in the fall. The woman never met a dried gourd she didn’t like! She loved to spend an afternoon shopping at Home Goods, especially the day after Thanksgiving, and was an unofficial brand ambassador for Talbots. She was a wonderful cook and was the only member of the family who could make their mother’s yeast rolls for the holidays. She loved to laugh.
Nancy was a woman of deep faith and someone you could trust and count on. If you met her, you were richer for it. She was an amazing person/friend/sister/daughter/mother/nana and will be forever missed.
Nancy’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 27, at 11:00 AM at Sojourn Church (3227 Paper Mill Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30067). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to As Our Own in Nancy’s honor (https://asourown.org/donate-today).
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Too much love and time events spent together with this absolutely beautiful person. From simple evening cookouts, Christmas Eve family togetherness, Chastain concerts, and late evening glasses of wine sharing our lives, the Kurtz family will always store in our hearts and souls God placing Nancy into our lives. She was indeed a “giver” in life, always looking out for you as a Mamma bear would, protective, loyal, and tough. Nancy also loved to laugh….a lot, with her infectious giggle that always brought smiles to all. When I needed a “pick-me-up” I could always count on Nancy! She was also “wicked smart” ….in a very good way. There was nothing this person couldn’t do or transition into as indicated by her diverse professional career. Medical admin, no problem. Real Estate admin/leadership, no problem, and she excelled at each being the keeper of operations for both and the Mamma Bear to the ones who she worked with. Nancy had challenging times during many years of being a single parent raising her children solo. Her grace and godly given love multiplied exponentially and you would never know anything in her life may not have been buttoned up. She always had the needle on “full” and that was what I most admired about this amazing person of faith. We may have lost a great one here on earth, but God and the heavens gained a true angel who I know is smiling down on her family and friends saying, “I’m just fine, you’re going to be just fine, till we meet again”.
Our hearts are broken by the loss of Nancy. Our lives were made much richer having known her as a friend for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with her children, grandchildren, extended family as they continue their journey this side of Heaven. We look forward to the day when the Lord Jesus comes back and we will be united with those who have gone before us never to be separated again. I know for a fact that Nancy will be there to greet us with her beautiful, warm smile and loving heart. Be comforted in knowing that she is at rest, her race so beautifully run for her God and her family! She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered. Ellen and Paul Kurtz
I only knew Nancy three short years before her retirement. She and I would often be the first two people in the office at 7 am. She would be dealing with a stack of checks and drinking Starbucks. So much to do, but she always took time to ask about life. My last notable conversation was when we realized we both loved Nickel Creek. (My daughter and husband danced to a Nickel Creek song at her wedding.) Nancy made an impact for Jesus supporting a bunch of frazzled real estate agents. What a blessing!
When I think of Nancy at KW, she was always kind and helpful. Always smiling and upbeat. Most of all, always faithful!
Nancy popped into my mind today so I went looking for her. Was so sad to read of her passing. She was a delightful, kind, hard working woman. She will be missed! Peace & love to all her family & friends.