Cheryl A. Underhill
My name is Cheryl Underhill and I just found out yesterday, that Bro. Hays passed away. I am shocked and saddened by this news.I first met Bro. Hays as an 11 year old, when my two brothers, sister and mom (Bobbie Underhill) started attending Garnet Avenue Baptist Church in Port Acres, Tx. Boy did we have awesome and enthusiastic hymn singing before and after Bro. Hayes very impassioned and animated sermons. When I started playing trumpet in 8th grade, he was more than willing to let me do solos before his sermons, which helped to grow my confidence tremendously, that proved a valuable strength, when my mother passed away a year later, when I was 14. He beautifully and lovingly delivered her eulogy at the church, offering much appreciated comfort and support to my siblings and myself. Whatever, my ideas were (as a teenager), that I frequently presented to him to grow the youth ministry, he was supportive and encouraging to "go for it"...and then there were those great "Dinners on the Ground" where church members brought a wonderful variety of homemade casseroles, desserts, etc. Our family brought several Icebox watermelons from our garden, that my step-grandfather skillfully grew. A significant part of my fondest memories from my teen years are thanks to Helen and Bro. Hays constant genuine agape love and unfailing commitment to the shepherding of their "flock" at Garnet
Avenue Baptist Church and in time at Fellowship Baptist in Nederland, Tx
Please say "Hi" to Mom for me, Bro. Hays and I know she is rejoicing to see you! "Well done, good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:23
