Michael Lee Hays of Eureka, died on Monday, Oct. 1, 2024, at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, surrounded by family, friends and loved ones, at the age of 57. He was born April 23, 1967, in Emporia, the son of Clyde and Patricia (Watts) Hays. He was raised in Madison, attending local schools, where he participated in football in high school. In the summer of 1986, Michael enlisted in the Army where he remained on active duty until 1994. He then joined the Army reserves. Mike worked in the oil industry before beginning his career with the El Dorado Correctional Facility where he was a Corrections officer for 18 1/2 years, a position he held until his health forced him to retire.
Mike was united in marriage to Martha Pesina in December 1988. To this union, 3 children were born. This marriage later ended in divorce. On February 21, 1998, Mike was united in marriage to Janet (Jackson) Hamilton and took on the role of raising her 3 children and his niece, Allysa Moore.
