Laura Mae Hays, 78, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday (April 4, 2012) at Kirksville Manor Care in Kirksville.

The daughter of Jesse Rawson and Pauline F. (Campbell) Cook, she was born September 10, 1933 in Knox County, Missouri. On March 20, 1964 in Kirksville, Missouri, Laura was united in marriage to Walter Leland Hays and to this union one daughter was born.

Laura is survived by her daughters, Teresa Attebery (Rick Axley) of Kirksville, MO, step-daughter, Janie (Earl) Goodwin of Novinger, MO; three sisters, Leah Drummond of New Baden, IL, Winona (Richard) Miller of East Dubuque, IL, and Ramona (Harold) Lauffer of Lawson, MO; one brother, Howard (Sherry) Cook of Boliver, MO; seven grandchildren, Chelsy (Tyson) Bradshaw, Chase Attebery (Tricia Woods), Kimra (Larry) Loe, Myra (Jeff) Selby, Dental Willaims (Denita), Jerry (Fay) Hays, Jr., Rena’ Hays and Michelle Rummerfield; ten great-grandchildren, Kaden Attebery, Colton Bishop, Madi Leigh Bradshaw, Ashley Loe, Whitney Loe, Jackson Selby, Johnathon Selby, Drew Hays, Elizabeth Hays, Anthony Hays, Dakota Goodwin, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leland on May 14, 1993; her parents, two sisters, Virginia and Anita Cook, step-son, Jerry Hays, Sr., brother-in-law, Herbert Drummond and nephew, Ronnie Drummond.

Mrs. Hays was a life-long resident of Adair County and graduated from LaPlata High School with the Class of 1951. She later did babysitting in her home for a number of years which she thoroughly enjoyed and always told stories about the children that touched her life. She was a very loving person with a very huge heart and will be missed by all.

Laura spent her spare time caring for her grandchildren, loved to visit and spend time with people in her neighborhood. Loved taking pictures and scrapbooking, and listening to country music.

Graveside services will be held 2:30 p.m. Monday (April 9, 2012) in the Union Temple Cemetery, southwest of Kirksville, with Pastor Ralph Wheeler officiating.

Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. before the graveside service on Monday (April 9, 2012) in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Richard Axley, Dental Williams, Tyson Bradshaw, Chase Attebery, Gary Williams and Bradley Williams.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Laura Hays Memorial Fund. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.