Cristan Mack Hayes

CRISTAN (CRIS) MACK HAYES went home to be with the Lord on May 12, 2006. He was born on March 4, 1948to the late Mack Hayes, Jr., and to his surviving mother, Jean Lomax. Cris began his primary education at St. Anthony’s Catholic School in the Bronx, New York. At a young age, he relocated to Charleston, South Carolina where he enjoyed a very close relationship with his beloved grandmother, the late Emily May Kline. After completing his secondary education in Charleston, He was accepted to North Carolina A&T University, where he met, and later married, Paula Sowell. From that union was born their much-loved daughter, Misha. Cris had a strong attraction to law enforcement, which led him to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force. Following his military service, he worked as a parks policeman in Washington, D.C. A diehard sports fan, Cris loved the Washington, Redskins football team (the “Skins!” as he’d say), and the New York Knicks basketball team. He was a very good cook, as well as a highly skilled mathematician, capable of solving complicated equations without pen or paper. Cris had a great sense of humor and was very much a “people person.” All who knew Cris, loved Cris. Wanting to be closer to his mother, Cris relocated to New York from Maryland in 1977. While living in New York, Cris met his devoted soul mate, Valerie McQueen (Val). Val and Cris were inseparable from the time they met. From their loving union was born Cris’ beloved Son, Cristan Mack Hayes Jr. “Big Cris” and “Li’l Cris” enjoyed a close father-son relationship, with Big Cris always at the ready to give Li’l Cris the benefit of his wisdom, life experience, and guidance for the future. In 2002, Cris gave his life to the Lord and became a member of the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York where the Rev. Floyd H. Flake was his pastor. In 2005, Cris and Valerie decided to relocate to Richmond, Virginia wanting to be nearer to family and desiring to see their son raised away from the hectic pace of New York City. Proving their inseparability, while residing in Richmond Cris and Val both obtained positions at the same Wal-Mart. Cris became a fast favorite of all his co-workers. Cris leaves to cherish his memory his loving mother, Jean Lomax; devoted and cherished soul mate, Valerie McQueen; daughter, Misha Lewis; son-in-law, Rodney Lewis; grandchildren, Dante, Mashaad and Bailey; son, Cristan Hayes Jr.; sister, Kim Allen; brother-in-law, Edmund Allen; brother, Casey Lomax; mother and father-in-law Margaret and Sanford (“Diddy”) Dubose; sisters-in-law, Sheila Henderson and Yvette Miles; brother-in-law, Melvin Dubose; a host of nieces and nephews (some of whom refused to call him “uncle” but called him “grampa”), and many other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Cristan Mack Hayes

March 4, 1948 - May 12, 2006