Shirley D. Hays, 80, of Orange, passed away on August 17, 2020, in Beaumont.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

Born in Kisatchie, Louisiana, on April 6, 1940, she was the daughter of William Edward Dowden and Leah Leona Dowden. Shirley was a wonderful and extremely involved Mimi to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved spending time with them, often attending her grandsons’ baseball games, and being as present in their lives as possible. She was a faithful member of Second Baptist Church in Bridge City for 57 years. Shirley enjoyed traveling to Branson, Missouri with her beloved husband and cooking for large family gatherings. She will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love her.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Kenneth Hays; children, Wade Hays and wife Mitzi of Crystal Beach, Shirlene Hays Evans and husband Emille of Nederland, and Sherri Hays Long and husband Kenneth of Beach City; grandsons, Tyler Hays and wife Desireé, Hunter Hays and wife Cayla, and Grayson Long and wife Eden; great-grandchildren, Hudson Hays, Madelyn Hays, Cameron Hays, Makenzie Hays, and baby Long on the way; siblings, Jo Lynn Ford of Tioga, Louisiana, and William Edward Dowden Jr. and wife Dorothy of Kisatchie, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Second Baptist Church of Bridge City at 340 Bland Dr. Bridge City, Texas 77611.