Alton Barnell Hayes' Obituary
HAYES, ALTON BARNELL a long time servant at the Saturn Road Church of Christ, left to be with his Lord on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. He was born February 5, 1927 in the central Texas farming community of White Hall to George Thomas Hayes and Rosa Myrtle Hayes. He was the youngest of seven children – all of which preceded him in death. He graduated from Moody High School where he was the top graduating boy. Barnell was an athlete who was offered a basketball scholarship to Baylor, gave half-time punting exhibitions around the area, and pitched and caught for a semi-pro, fast pitch softball team in the Central Texas League. He was married on April 2, 1948 in Fort Worth to Catherine Gilley whom he met while she was visiting with a friend in Moody, Texas. They had been married for sixty three years at his death and had two children. As an adult he worked in the meat packing industry beginning with Armour & Co. in the old Fort Worth stockyards. Barnell went on to work at Samuel’s and then for many years at Decker in Garland. Barnell’s life was focused on working with his church and he had been a member at the Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland since 1965. He founded the Saturn Road Mission Committee and worked in supporting missions for over fifty years. During his time in Garland, several Spanish speaking congregations were aided in their establishment and support by Barnell. He also taught many adult and youth classes over the course of his life and worked in mediating several church disputes at other congregations. Barnell is survived by his wife, Catherine; his daughter, Janet McClung of DeSoto, TX and her husband David; his son, Craig Hayes of Albuquerque, NM and his wife Missy, and four grandchildren – Carter McClung and his wife Kathleen, Alicia McClung, Rebekah Hayes, and Laura Hayes. Both visitation and funeral services will be held at Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland on Saturday, March 12th. Visitation will begin at noon followed by the funeral services at 1:30pm officiated by John Scott. Interment will be at 2:00PM, Sunday, March 13, at Restland. The family requests that donations be made to Arms of Hope Children’s Home in lieu of flowers.
What’s your fondest memory of Alton?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alton?
Share a story where Alton's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alton you’ll never forget.
How did Alton make you smile?