Velma Ruth Hayes, age 87, of Vienna, was born June 27, 1935, in Maries County, a daughter of Chester Norman "Ted" and Ruby Ruth (Copeland) Snodgrass, and passed from this life Monday, March 6, 2023, in the University of Missouri Medical Center, Columbia.

She was united in marriage October 11, 1952, at Dixon, to Wesley Eugene Hayes, and to this union, eight children were born.

Velma and Wes accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior while attending the Kenner Church of God, near Dixon, and were baptized at the same time in the Gasconade River early in life.  In addition to being a devoted housewife and homemaker during her working life, she had also been employed at the Langenberg Hat Company, the MFA Grocery Store, and the South Central Regional Stockyards, all in Vienna, prior to her retirement.  Through the years, Velma was a member of the Stickney Friendship Club, where the women of the community met for fellowship.

Those left to celebrate the life of Velma include:  Her surviving children, Becky James (Brian) of
Vienna, Rocky Hayes (Ann) of Cape Girardeau, Michael Hayes (Donna) of Dixon, Susan Brunnert (Mark) of Vienna, Robin Kleffner (Michael) of Brinktown, and Ryan Hayes (Lori) of Vienna; seventeen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; her siblings, Donald Snodgrass of Vienna, Vivian Sandbothe of Taos, Bill Snodgrass (Melvina) of Meta, Dallas Snodgrass (Terry) of Vienna, and Dennis Snodgrass of Vichy; nephews, nieces, with great and great-greats as well; many other relatives; and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wes, on October 28, 2021; one son, Darrell Eugene Hayes on March 3, 1983; one infant daughter, Cathy Hayes, in 1953; her father, Ted, on November 29, 1998; her mother, Ruby, on April 22, 1997; and one brother, Delmar Norman Snodgrass, on December 24, 2015.

Visitation for Mrs. Velma Hayes will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12 Noon, Saturday, March 11, 2023, in the Kenner Church of God, 17996 Maries Road 505, Dixon, MO 65459, with her funeral service following at 12 Noon in the church with Rev. Karen Alden, Woodlandville United Methodist Church, Rocheport, officiating, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.

Interment for Mrs. Hayes will be next to her husband, son, and daughter in the Kenner Cemetery.  Pallbearers for Velma will be Rocky Hayes, Mike Hayes, Ryan Hayes, Tony James, Mark Brunnert, and Michael Kleffner.  Honorary pallbearers for grandma Velma are her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Velma Hayes are suggested by her family to the Kenner or Felkerson  Cemetery perpetual care fund with envelopes available at the church the day of her service or in care of Birmingham-Martin funeral home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, Mo 65582.