Edwin Wayne Hayes

Edwin Wayne Hayes was born in Harlem, New York on October 9th, 1961 and passed away at home in Grimesland, North Carolina on February 24th, 2024.

Early in life, after moving from New York to North Carolina, Ed grew up with his siblings and endearing mother and cousins under the careful and loving eyes of Joseph and Gillie Thompson, many of you know them as Bro. Joe and Aunt Duke. Their care was filled with love and appreciation, ensuring Ed learned the most important skills to develop into the young man he would become. Ed would continue to live most of his life in Pitt County where he attended G. R. Whitfield Elementary School and D.H. Conley High School, graduating in 1979. Like many others that grew up in a rural community, he was no stranger to working on a farm. Many of you shared a great deal of laughter working with Ed in tobacco fields and cucumber fields during the summer months.

He decided to join the Army in September 1980. During his service he earned the Army Service Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, as well as Marksmanship with the M16 Rifle. Ed was honorably discharged in September 1983.    

Upon his return to Pitt County after serving in the Army, he worked a variety of jobs in the Greenville area including being an employee of Eastern Insulation for over 15 years. When someone asked for help, whether it be a family member, neighbor, or friend--he would always try his best to make it happen. He loved playing basketball on the weekends “on the hill” in Greenville and was well known at numerous gyms in the area, especially his Sundays at the Whitfield Gym in Grimesland. He did enjoy talking a “little trash” while letting his skills on the court back it all up. Of course, after his wins and even after his losses, he loved a little “celebration”.

Ed’s memory will be cherished by his daughter, Keonna Nicole Harper of Greenville, NC; grandson, Jaden Harper of Greenville, NC; mother, Mary E. Hardy of Grimesland, NC; two brothers: Kennth Wayne Hardy (Dorothy) of Jersey City, NJ; Gregory L. Hayes of Bowie, MD; two sisters: Sharon D. Joyner (Lorenzo) of Greenville, NC; Glenda H. Wainright (Evan) of Knightdale, NC; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close family friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Malcolm Hayes. 

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