Porter DeWitt Hayes, age 80, of Hiram, Georgia passed away Saturday, April 13th, 2019. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 pm, Saturday, April 27th, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Powder Springs. The family will receive friends from 10am until 12pm prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at the Georgia National Cemetery at a later date.
DeWitt was born in Stephens, Georgia on February 1st, 1939 to Harrison and Susan Hayes. After graduating from Oglethorpe High in 1957 he joined the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany for 30 months and due to the Berlin Crisis, his deployment was extended six more months. Upon completion of his service to the country he was hired by Atlanta Gas Light Company as a customer service representative. During his time at AGL DeWitt attended Georgia State University and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration. He retired 37 years later after advancing through several management roles in the Atlanta area, Forsyth, and Jesup, Georgia.
DeWitt was active in many civic organizations throughout his life. He served as President of the Optimist Club in Smyrna, sat on the Board of Directors at the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Rotary Club in Oglethorpe County and donated many hours of time and effort for various charitable organizations. DeWitt was a True Southern Gentleman in every respect and was looked up to as a role model and an example of Christian morals. He was a dear Husband, Father, Grandfather and friend and will be missed by all who knew him. Regarding his passions, you could guarantee when the GA Bulldogs or Atlanta Braves were playing, DeWitt was perched on the edge of a seat somewhere.
DeWitt is survived by his wife Kay, sister Dorothy Kinney, brother Charlie, children Cindy Grimsley (Steve), Luanne Anderson (Glenn), Brian Hayes (Donna), stepsons Dwayne Lancaster (Tammy), Brent Lancaster (Trisha), stepdaughter Amy Ferguson (Tim), grandchildren Mandy Anderson, Danielle Grimsley, Kylie Anderson, Brydon Hayes, Gillian Hayes, Delaina Hayes, Katelyn Lancaster, Madison Cook, Mackenzie Cook, Mallory Cook, Brady Ferguson, Riley Ferguson, Caleb Ferguson, Grady Lancaster, Gage Lancaster, Laynee Lancaster, Tacy Lancaster. DeWitt is preceded in death by his parents, wife Sherre Clary Hayes, brothers Jarrell, CR, Harmon, Davis, Van and sister Geraldine.