Sergeant Major Ernest Hayes was born on September 25, 1937 to the late Joseph E. Hayes and Mary E. (Green) Hayes Robinson. He attended the local schools in Jacksonville, Florida. After completing his schooling he joined the United States Army in 1955, where he served his country at numerous duty stations as a member of Green Berets, Airborne Operations Specialist. He served between 1956-1964 in Ft. Benning, GA. as a Squad Leader; 1964-1967 in Ft. Campbell, KY, Airborne and then in Vietnam; 1967-1977 in Ft. Bragg, NC, as an EEO Instructor; 1977-1978 in Korea, as an Operations Sergeant Major; 1978-1980 in Ft. Hood, TX, as a Security NCOIC; 1980-1982 in Hofstra University, NY, as a ROTC Instructor at WestPoint, US Military Academy; 1983-1988 in Atlanta, GA, as a Civil Service Federal Security Officer at Dobbins AFB.

Sergeant Major Ernest Hayes retired honorably from the United States Army in 1982 and later from Civil Services. He was awarded numerous medals, certificates and badges for courage, honor, and distinction of service.

Sergeant Major Ernest Hayes departed this life on Sunday, April 19, 2015 and he was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph E. Hayes and Mary E. (Green) Hayes Robinson; two brothers, Nathaniel and Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes; his son, John Shannon Hayes; and nephew, Joseph Johnson.

Sergeant Major Ernest Hayes is survived by three children, Victor E. Hayes (Myrna), Tabatha U. Hayes, Tiena V. Hayes-James; sister, Lena Mae Johnson; brother, Earl Hayes; aunt, Betty Reed; grandchildren, Jennifer Hayes, Tavara Hayes, Shannon-Eve Hayes Ricks, Felicia Hayes, Kendrick Fanniel, David Brooks, Tiera Brooks, Victoria Hayes Reddish, Tiffany Hayes, Viktor Hayes II, Jazmine James, Valencia Hayes, Jessica James, Mijah Wilson; great-grandchildren, Bianca, Jashon, MaKayla, Dyarius, Troy; grand-puppies, Buddy and Calla Lily; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The funeral service for Ernest Hayes will be held 1PM, Saturday at the Samuel C. Rogers Jr. Memorial Chapel 4315 N. Main Street. The visitation will be 5 - 7PM, Friday at mortuary. Interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234

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