Eva Geraldine Hayes, known to most as Geraldine, of Richwoods, MO, departed this life in her home, on November 8,2016, having reached the age of eighty-five years, five months and seventeen days.
Geraldine was born in St. Clair, MO, on May 21, 1931, daughter of Robert William Ramey and Evelyn Ramey nee Cash. On July 30, 1948, she was united in marriage to Louis Elmer Hayes and three children came to bless this union. In January of 1987, she began sharing her life with John Gloriod and they were blessed to have twenty-nine years together.
Geraldine is survived by her companion, John Gloriod of Richwoods, MO; by her children, Nancy Gloriod of Sullivan, MO, Sharon Witt and Robert L. Hayes and wife, Shelia, all of Richwoods; by seven grandchildren, Lou Gloriod and wife, RaDawn, of Sullivan, Angie Gloriod of Washington, MO and Dale Witt and wife, Melissa, Mary Cobb and husband, Kenny, Cherie Witt and Thomas Hayes and wife, Sondra, all of Richwoods and Burton Hayes and wife, Kristen, of Hillsboro, MO; by John’s daughters, Wanda Disano and husband, Charlie, of Warrenton, MO and Brenda Gloriod of St. Charles, MO; by two sisters-in-law, Ruth Love known to all as DeeDee, of St. Clair, MO, who was truly Geraldine’s best friend, and Bertha Schrum of Richwoods; by seven great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Evelyn Ramey; by her husband, Louis Hayes; by two sons-in-law, Louis Gloriod, known to all as Ted, and Leonard Witt, Jr. and by two infant grandchildren, twins Mitchell and Matthew Hayes.
Geraldine was a Christian of the Baptist faith, believing in the Lord as her Savior. During most of her working years, she was employed in the shoe manufacturing industry, having worked at International Shoe Company and Deb Shoe Company both in St. Clair, MO and later at Carmo Shoe Company in Union, MO. She had also worked for a few years as a nurses’ assistant at Sullivan Life Care Center in Sullivan, MO and most recently as a salad bar attendant at the Flying J Truck Stop in Sullivan. She was a also a past member of the Order of Eastern Star, Potosi, MO Chapter. Caring for her home and family was always Geraldine’s first priority and she treasured the time spent with her children. In recent years, she enjoyed doing needlework and working word puzzles. She was an avid reader and loved going out to eat with John. Listening to country gospel music was another of her pastimes. Each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were special to her and nothing made her happier than spending time with them.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 11, 2016, at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO, with the Rev. Dick Hinson officiating. Interment was in Crestview Memorial Park, St. Clair, MO. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s’ Association or to the American Cancer Society.