Mrs. E. Elaine Hayes, 89 - Spencer

(01/14/2011)
Mrs. E. Elaine Hayes, 89, passed to the hands of our Lord in the early evening of January 12, 2011, at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House in Huntington, WV.

Born in Spencer, West Virginia, on January 1, 1922, Elaine was the only child of Fordyce Chapman Miller and Bertha Belle Wyatt Miller. She was preceded in death by her parents and her late husbands, Ores Robert Longfellow, Rev. Paul E. Starkey, and most recently, Richard H. Hayes.

She is survived by her son, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his wife, Delores Jean Longfellow; her daughter, Evelyn Beth Burd; her grandchildren and their spouses, Dora Jean and Robert Tawney, Laura Dawn and Richard Tawney, Mark Wade and Kristina Longfellow, and Charles Robert Burd; and great grandchildren, Megan, Morgan, Austin, Amanda, Makynzee, and Madisyn.

Elaine was the proud owner of Miller's Beauty Shoppe for over 49 ½ years and, with her parents, was co-owner of M & L Furniture, both located in Spencer, WV. She was a member of several clubs and organizations including the Speed Homemakers Club, the Rebecca Lodge #132, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Roane General Hospital Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star #89, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Rose Society of Huntington, and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Corps of Engineers of Huntington.

Aside from volunteering her time to various hospitals and charities, Elaine was a woman of great faith and devotion. Baptized at age 13 into St. John's United Methodist Church in Spencer, Elaine lent her voice in prayer and song and her hands to piano, organ, and most importantly, service in many other fellowships, including Spencer Baptist Temple, Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, and Highlawn United Methodist Church.

Throughout her life Elaine's time had been devoted to faith and family and she worked tirelessly to ensure all those she knew were touched by her generous spirit but too, she was often the life of the party! People often recall her charismatic presence at social and family gatherings, her zest for travel - from local jaunts to a Caribbean cruise, her love of gospel music, and by contrast, her quick and accomplished footwork on the dance floor - winning several competitions alongside her late husband Richard.

A funeral service will be held at the John H. Taylor Funeral Home in Spencer, WV, on Sunday, January 16, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Garry L. Bowen officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Spencer Memorial Cemetery, Spencer.

Condolences may be expressed online at   taylorfuneralhomeinc.com