Barbara W. (Hayes) Gerald

Tabor City, NC

Barbara Wayne Hayes Gerald, 89, of Tabor City, passed away peacefully at Tabor Commons on December 6, 2021. She was born in Green Sea, SC on January 2, 1932, the second child of Averitt Gary and Bernice Bryant Hayes.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Billy Hayes, Michael Hayes, and Jerry Hayes, and one sister, Joanne Hayes Floyd.

Barbara was a 1950 graduate of Green Sea High School, then continued her education at South Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1954. She worked as a private nurse and at Loris Community Hospital for several years before becoming a full time mom to her two children.

She was known and loved by many for her sweet smile and servant’s heart, and was gifted with a comforting spirit. Her joyful and positive outlook is embedded in the hearts of those who knew her well. The joy of the Lord was her strength.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, William Bernice Gerald of the home; two children, Russell (Melody) Gerald of Raleigh, NC and Kathy Gerald (Mark) Stocks of Tabor City; three sisters, Jean Garrell, Judy Windham, and Melanie (Harry) McDowell; three grandchildren, Emily (Tyler) Tomasik, of Chapel Hill, Mary Olivia Gerald of Raleigh, and Grayson Stocks of Raleigh; and one great grandson, Shepherd Hayes Tomasik.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, December 9, 2021 in the Tabor City Baptist Church, with visitation for one hour prior, also at the church. Burial will follow at Cane Branch Cemetery in Allsbrook, SC.

Memorial donations in her memory may be made to Liberty Hospice, 46 McNeill Plaza Ste. 105, Whiteville, NC 28472.

A service of Inman Ward Funeral Home of Tabor City.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara W. (Hayes) Gerald, please visit our floral store.