David Carnley Hayes

David Carnley (PaPa) Hayes, of Geneva, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 5, 2025, at the age of 93, at Wiregrass Nursing Home where he had resided for the past ten months. At the age of 19, Mr. Hayes enlisted in the US Navy (Ordinary Seaman USN-U1) and served from August 31, 1951, to May 31, 1955, during the Korean War on the USS Munsee ATF 107.  Mr. Hayes was also a part of a rescue mission while in the Navy.  He worked as a fixed wing mechanic at Fort Rucker and was a member of the machinist union.  He also worked as a pipe fitter.

Mr. Hayes loved to fish, hunt, garden, ad spend time with his two sons and his grandchildren.  He was a member of First Freewill Baptist Church in Samson, AL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025, in the chapel of Pittman Funeral Home in Geneva with Rev. Zachary Hayes, (Mr. Hayes grandson) officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Pittman Funeral Home of Geneva, directing. The family will receive friends prior to the service on Thursday, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Flowers will be accepted.

Mr. Hayes was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Louise Hayes; his mother and step-father, Irma Clyde Brunson and William Leroy Ragand; his father, David Ruell Hayes; and his sister, Trudy Jeanelle Hayes Andrews.

Survivors include his sons, David Hayes (Tywanna) and Ricky Hayes (Lisa) of Geneva; six grandchildren, Brooke Hayes, Mollie Adkison (Anthony), Zachary Hayes (Haley), Halie White (Aaron), Justin Hayes (Ashton), and Brandon Hayes.  He was also the proud great grandfather to seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. 

His grandsons, Justin and Brandon Hayes, grand sons-in-law, Anthony Adkison and Aaron White, and great grandsons, Judson Hayes and Patrick Barber will serve as pallbearers.  Walker Hayes will serve as honorary pallbearer.  The family of David Carnley Hayes also wants to thank Dr. John Simmons, Jr., Gentiva Hospice of Enterprise, AL, especially Marie, Justin, Jessica, Sam, Rita, and Christine, the staff at Wiregrass Rehab and Nursing Home, especially Brenda, Chrissy, Robin, Diane, Carrie, and many others for the wonderful care shown for our Dad.

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