James Laverne Hayes

James Laverne Hayes, 85, of Purdy, passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, while at Cox South Hospital in Springfield.

Laverne, was born on June 18, 1940, in Butterfield, to Doyle “Slim” and Ruby Ellis Hayes. Laverne was a graduate of Cassville High School and attended trade school in Joplin, MO. He was the owner of Hayes Heating and Air, retiring at sixty-two. Laverne was a member of the Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church.

On Dec. 26, 1959, he married Henrietta Henderson. They have been blessed with over sixty-six years of wonderful memories made together. To this union, four children were born.

Survivors include his wife, Henrietta, of the home; two sons, Kelly Hayes and wife Judy and Mike Hayes and wife Kristina; two daughters, Melinda Chapman, and husband Doug and Laura Rose and husband Brian; eleven grandchildren,  and sixteen and a half great-grandchildren. 

Laverne was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lois Hayes, brother-in-law, Charles Rhinehart; great-grandsons, Jordan Rose, Noah Chapman and Emmett Chapman. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church, 11057 Farm Road 2060, Purdy. Pastor Jesse Cole and Pastor Lee Neill will be officiating. Interment will be held at Bethel Cemetery. Memorial contributions can made be to Macedonia Ladies Auxiliary or American Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, 301 Euclid Ave, Monett, MO.