Ozella Kate Hayes was born June 28, 1935 to Saul John and Mary Rachel Boyd. She was the youngest of three daughters. She was preceded in death by her sisters Finnus Harding and Mary Delores Boyd, Ray Boyd, Jr. (Mary’s grandchild), Ray Vellston, Sr. (Mary’s eldest son), Jamie Palmer and brother-in -law Jerry Harding. Ozella was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended St. Louis Public School and graduated from Sumner High School. She worked for the City of St. Louis where she retired. She then married Maurice Hayes, her high school sweetheart. Ozella became a fulltime member of Antioch Baptist Church and sung in the choir, along with her two sisters. They were very close and traveled all the time, those three. Ozella leaves to cherish her memory: three children ~ Lamar, Rachel and Antonio (Marvetta); adopted son ~ Melvin Hayes; eight grandchildren ~ Neco, Ralph, Jr. (Ackiba), Keisha, Precious, Christian, Ashley, Marlissa, Mariah and Dawon; six great grandchildren ~ Antione, Aignee, Ronnisha, Larron, Mickell and Makayla; great-great grandchildren ~ Larry, Royaltie, Jaden, Anyla and Antione Jr.; one niece ~ Raomi; great nieces ~ Robyn and Rhonda; one nephew ~ Ralph Dennis Harding; great nephews ~ Dinnus Jr. and Dawyne; her best friend ~ Geraldine Gardener; and a host of cousins and friends.

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