Deloris Jean Hayes, 83, went to her home in heaven on April 18, 2026. 

Deloris is preceded in death by her father, Glen Vanhoose; her mother, Jeanetta Gertrue Isaac Vanhoose; her sisters, Jeanetta Larick and Hazel Vanhoose; her brothers, James Vanhoose, Kenneth Paul Vanhoose, Frances Vanhoose, and Matthew Vanhoose; her husband, Earl Hayes; and her sons, Norman Hayes and Earl Hayes II.

She is survived by her brother, Ralph Vanhoose; her daughter, Deana (Bill) Hammond; her daughter, Kemra (James) Vanhoose; her son, Paul (Angela) Hayes; her daughter-in-law, Tonya Hayes; and her grandchildren, Brad (Sherry) Vanhoose, Cayla (Allen) Lemaster, Allison (Chris) Keesee, Matthew (Leslie) Hammond, Benjamin (Haileigh) Hayes, and Andrew (fiancée, Paige) Hayes. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Libby Vanhoose and Violet Keesee. Notably, she passed away approximately eight hours before her third great-grandchild, Rowan Keesee, was born, and hoped to meet her other great-grandchild, Boston Hayes, in August. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. 

Throughout her life, Deloris was known for her selfless and devoted care of others. She lovingly cared for her mother, her father-in-law, her mother-in-law, her five children, and her grandchildren. Her home was always open to family and friends, especially the friends of her children, who were welcomed to visit or stay and were made to feel like part of the family. She will also be fondly remembered for her cooking, which was often praised by those who gathered around her table.

Deloris was a faithful member of Belles Chapel Free Will Baptist Church for 65 years and will be remembered for her love of singing. She began singing with the Ang Castle group from Tom’s Creek Church. After her marriage, she sang alongside her husband, Earl, as well as Charolette and Nelson Swan. Deloris and Earl taught their children to sing and founded The Gospel Expressions, a family group that traveled and sang throughout the country. Among her favorite songs were “I’ll Know I’m Home,” “Wake Up Child It’s Time to Go Home,” and “My Lord Has Been So Good to Me.” Today, the group is known as The Singing Hayes Family.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 21st at 1:00 pm at the Belles Chapel Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Jimmy Vanhoose and Rev. Brad Vanhoose officiating. Burial will follow in the Hayes Family Cemetery on Route 1760 Louisa, Kentucky.

Friends may visit the family on Monday April 20th from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Belles Chapel Free Will Baptist Church.

Care for Deloris and her family has been entrusted to our family at Wilson Funeral Home.