Linda Carol (Kays) Hayes

Linda Hayes was born on May 28, 1947 in Lebanon, Kentucky and passed away peacefully in her sleep on Palm Sunday, March 29th 2026. She was the oldest of four daughters, The Little Women, born to Earl Chester Kays and Mattie Lewis Kays.

“Marme” as everyone knew her after the birth of her first grandson, filled our lives with joy. She was our angel and we adored her.

Marme grew up in the Baptist Church and she shared her love of the Lord openly. If you knew her, she probably prayed you through some of your most difficult times. She hosted Bible studies in her home, taught Sunday School at Severn’s Valley Baptist Church, and served in the jail ministry in Elizabethtown, KY. When her grandsons were old enough to ask “the big questions,” she mentored them through their Christian journeys.

After graduating from Springfield High School, Marme attended Campbellsville College where she studied Education, eventually achieving a Masters and Rank 1 advanced certification from Western Kentucky University. She taught seventh and eighth grade English Literature in the Gifted and Talented programs at Hardin Central Middle School and West Hardin Middle School, where she especially loved preparing her school’s delegations for the KYA and KUNA assemblies. She came out of retirement to teach her final years at Saint James School in Elizabethtown, KY.

An avid traveler, Marme’s most memorable trips included visiting the Holy Lands in Jerusalem, attending the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany, and adventuring throughout Europe with her friends and sister. Later in life, Marme boarded one last plane with her son and daughter to Hawaii. They checked off her final travel destination.

When her first grandchild was born, Marme packed up her life and moved to Louisville, KY to be closer to those she loved. When she wasn’t cheering on one of the boys in their sporting events, she spent her time hosting swimming parties and sleepovers, volunteering at the Southern Baptist Seminary, and cooking Sunday dinners that included fried chicken, green beans, Sister Schubert rolls, and her famous banana salad.

As a grandmother, Marme was the epitome of selflessness. Cookies for breakfast? You got it! Science project due on Monday? Spend the night and we’ll get it done! Going out on the town with your friends? Stop by and I’ll give you a little spending money! Wherever there was love, there was Marme.

Her children, Lara and Brent, were gifted with a best friend and a stalwart confidant. Her voice and wisdom will live in their hearts forever. It was their greatest blessing to make each of her last days beautiful ones.

Marme was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Mattie Kays, and her youngest sister, Connie Graham.

She is survived by her son, Brent Hayes, her daughter, Lara Needham, and three grandsons, her “Little Presidents” Grant, Jackson and Truman Needham, all of Louisville. Also surviving are her sisters, Janie Bird (Mike Bird) of Frankfort, KY and Brenda Bishop of Danville, KY as well as several nieces, nephews, and her many lifelong friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Good Friday, April 3rd at the Carey & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Chapman Bean officiating.

Burial will be on Cemetery Hill in Springfield.

Serving as pallbearers will be Grant Needham, Jackson Needham, Truman Needham, Trey Barnett, Wes Barnett and Ethan Bird.

Visitation will be from 4 until 7 Thursday and after 8:00 Friday morning at the Carey & Son Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda Carol (Kays) Hayes, please visit our floral store.