Mrs. Bettye Odum Hays, 74, of Mansfield passed away August 30, 2012 at her residence.  She was born in Baxley, Georgia on July 30, 1938 to the late Archibald and Jewel Odum.  Mrs. Hays was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.  She was nurse for 24 years at Newton Medical Center, an avid reader, an Atlanta Braves fan and she loved going on vacation especially to the mountains. 

Mrs. Hays is survived by her husband Pleas E. Hays, her son and daughter-in-law Freddie and Alma Hays of Mansfield, her son Kenneth Hays also of Mansfield, her daughter and son-in-law Cindy and Troy Eckhardt of Erie, IL along with 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 2 brothers and 1 sister.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hays will be held at 3 O’clock Sunday, September 2, 2012 at New Rocky Creek Baptist Church with Dr. Randy Reese and Pastor Danny Sorrells officiating.  Interment will follow at Hays Family Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at J.C. Harwell and Son Funeral Home from 4pm until 7pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012.  J.C. Harwell & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Chapel, 2157 East Street SE, Covington, GA 30014 is in charge of arrangements. www.harwellfuneralhome.com