Nathaniel Warmoth Hayes, Sr.

Nathaniel Warmoth Hayes, Sr. son of the late Reverend Edward Hayes and Reverend Bessie Patterson Hayes was born on June 13, 1928 in Lenoir, NC. He finished his course and entered into eternal rest on June 30, 2018.

Mr. Hayes was educated in the public schools of Wilkes County and graduated from Lincoln Heights High School.  While working in the garden with his mother, he proclaimed,” You will not make a farmer out of me.”  He served in the U.S. Army, was a Mason, and graduated from Winston Salem Teacher’s College (TC) where he received a B.S. in Education. He continued his education at North Carolina A&T State University graduating with a Master’s degree in Administration. Additional classes were taken at Appalachian State University and East Carolina State University in pursuit of a PhD degree.

Mr. Hayes began his teaching career in Hartland, NC and then taught at Freedman High School.  He held positions of Assistant Principal and Principal at several schools in Lenoir. He taught math and science, special education, coached both Boys’ and Girls’ basketball teams, and served as Audio Visual Aids Director. He was a strict disciplinarian yet he loved to see students succeed. You could often hear through the hallways, “Here comes Mr. Hayes.” He was a visiting math teacher at the NC Advancement School in Winston-Salem, NC.   During the summer in Lenoir, he was employed as the Swimming Pool Director.  The family moved to Silver Spring, Maryland in the summer of 1973 when he was selected Assistant Principal of Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, DC. Mr. Hayes retired with more than 40 years of teaching and administrative excellence. Mr. Hayes continued to serve as a substitute teacher in Thomasville, NC and enjoyed teaching several men in the community how to read.

Mr. Hayes was the best scratch biscuit maker, was popular with all age groups and could often be found in the evenings playing cards and playing sweepstakes games. He enjoyed traveling, loved family and friends and was a mentor to many.  He was a member of St. Paul A. M. E. Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, Church Treasurer, Chancel Choir member and trustee. He also served as Lay Speaker and Men’s Choir Director at Central United Methodist Church, Thomasville, NC.

Nathaniel was married for 30 years to his first love, Dora Elizabeth Michaux Hayes. From that union were three girls and one son.   From the union of Nathaniel and Dorothy Coates there was one daughter. He married Della Priscilla Lewis of Thomasville, NC in 1992 and extended his family with a stepdaughter and stepson.

Mr. Hayes was preceded in death by his mother and father, his wives, daughter Valerie Lynn Hayes, stepson Greg Lewis (Chandra),

brother, Dr. Norman Hayes, sisters-in-laws, brother-in-law Milton Hilliard, Sr. and grandsons Lennis Harris, Jr. and Jonathan Skinner.

He left to cherish his legacy, son Nathaniel Hayes, Jr.(Patricia) of Stafford, VA, daughters, Claudia Hayes Skinner (Linwood Sr.) of Raleigh, NC, Marsha Hayes Harris of Durham, NC, Natalie Hayes Hubbard (Detrick) of Capital Heights, MD and stepdaughter Candy Lewis Dingle (Willis) of Duncan, SC, a devoted sister Beulah Hilliard, Upper Marlboro, MD, three sisters-in-laws, Sherlene Allen Hayes of Greensboro, NC, Juanita Taylor (Billy) of Boston, MA, Wanda Lewis of Boston, MA.

Mr. Hayes cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They include:  Linwood Skinner, Jr. (Tamika), Kevin Hayes, Patrick (Randy) Hayes (Latoya), Staci Harris, Rickayla Dixon, Ricardo (Nate) Dixon, Na’Hamani Hubbard, four step-grandchildren; Gina Lewis, Desmond Lewis, Asia Dingle, and Logan Dingle; Great-grands: Cierra Johnson, Londyn Hayes, and Levi Hayes; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Mr. Hayes stressed the importance of God First and Education.  

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