Lela M. Hayes

Lela Mae Hayes, 90, was born on November 7, 1933 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to the union of Isom and Emmie Compton. Lela was raised in a loving home by her mother Emmie and stepfather Houston Taylor, Sr. along with her four sisters and two brothers.

Lela formally received her education at Jefferson County High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She accepted the Lord at Saint Luke AME Church at a young age. She moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1955 where she became a member at Saint Matthews CME Church.

Lela united in Holy Matrimony with Donald Adward Hayes on March 18, 1955. Their union was blessed with four children.

Lela worked for Smart Wear Inc as a Retail Clerk for several years and then decided to give her notice and purchase a Clark Gas Station with her husband on the corner of North Ave and Teutonia in Milwaukee Wisconsin. She was a true businesswoman who handled all the payroll, banking, bookkeeping and investments for the business. Lela enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially around the holidays. She liked being in her garden, which produced cumbers, peppers, collard greens and squash. Also, planting flowers all around the house, cooking big dinners and hanging out with her sisters.

Lela Mae Hayes departed this life on December 22, 2023. She was surrounded by loved ones and was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Hayes; father Isom Compton, mother Emmie Compton-Taylor, Stepfather Houston Taylor Sr., siblings: Mary Jones, Icelean Washington, Delois Powell, Houston Taylor, Jr., Robert Taylor, and Berthola Taylor.

Lela leaves many memories which will be cherished for the rest of our lives to: daughter, Donatter Hayes; sons: Rickey (Carol) Hayes, Larry (Kattie) Hayes, Kenneth (Cheryl) Hayes all of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also, she leaves a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation for Lela will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Service will immediately follow at 11:00 AM.

“Lela was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and aunt and her smile will be missed.”

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