Betty Jean Hayes Gee

Betty Jean Hayes Gee was born on Jan 12, 1947 in Morehead, Mississippi to Henry Hayes and Lela Mae Childress. She departed this life Saturday , September 20th at home with her beloved family.

She completed her early education in Mississippi. She was known to be studious, to be a hard worker and a caregiver. She would tell stories of “going to the field” to pick cotton. She later moved to Champaign, Illinois, where she married Arnold Tyrone Gee.

In the 1970’s she moved to Chicago, Illinois where she began pursuing her nursing career. As an industrious single parent, Betty put herself through nursing school. She stressed education and worked tirelessly to provide a better life for herself and her four children.

Betty confessed Christ at an early age and loved prayer, gospel music, good preaching and going to church. Before becoming ill, she faithfully attended Mt Vernon M.B. Church under Pastor Johnny Miller where she served in various departments including,usher board, missionary board, deaconess, nurses board, choir member, and pastoral aide committee. She also attended Miracle Center M.B Church under Rev. Shelly Harmon.

Betty worked as a nurse in various capacities for over 3 decades before undergoing brain surgery in 2004 which dramatically changed her life. Although she lost her eye sight following the surgery and had numerous complications, her other senses were strongly heightened especially hearing. In spite of numerous health challenges, she remained strong, wise, feisty and an integral part in the lives of her children, grand children, great grandchildren , friends and caretakers. She looked forward to the visits from Deacon Powers who also served her communion regularly.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lela Brown and stepfather Willie Brown; father, Rev. Henry Hayes; sisters, Glorial Brown and Sherry Marie Hayes-Jones; brothers, Richard Brown, Henry Hayes, Jr and James Hayes and a precious granddaughter Brooke Nikita Gee.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Cynthia Thomas(Darryl) of Springfield, IL, Tawanda Gee Hewitt(Phillip) of Skokie,IL, Remell McClain of Tampa, FL, and Paris Lark of Harvey, IL; siblings Brenda Brown and Keith(Cris) Brown of Atlanta, GA; Mildred(Jack)Dunham, Mary Alice Hayes, Brenda Hayes-Graham and Louise(Elvis) Sweet of Winslow, Az; 21 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, beloved caretakers Tati and Breniqua and a host of family members and friends.

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