Ebbie Jan Hayes, 82 of Bonifay, went home to be with the Lord on April 30, 2024 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Ebbie Jan was born on August 12, 1941 below Vernon, Florida to G.I. “Gus” Street and Ruby Ebbie Gainey Street. She was born in an old wood house, referred to as “The Old Place” on Hwy 279 between the Dunford and Horse Lot Ponds. That is where she lived until she was 8 or 9 and her family moved after her father passed away. She helped her mother raise and care for her younger siblings. Ebbie Jan learned the hard way how to make a living at a young age. She used to tell stories of how she and some of her siblings would be on a truck at 4 a.m. going to pick cotton at a farm in Alabama all day. She learned quickly how to be a Tom Boy.
Ebbie Jan married once to Milliard Hubert Hayes on September 17, 1959, for 47 years till he passed in 2006. She always said she had no interest in dating or marrying again. He was her everything to her. They had 2 sons, Timothy Hayes and Phillip Hayes.
When Ebbie Jan and Hubert married, they moved to Port St Joe, Florida for a few years before moving to Hubert’s family home place. She never left it and that’s where she passed. It was home to her.
Ebbie Jan was a stay-at-home mom who looked after her husband and sons. She never missed a school function, practice, or game wherever it might be. Some of their best memories were camped out on a sand bar of the Choctawhatchee River or the banks of the Hick’s or Dunford Pond. She loved spending time with her boys and watching them grow to be the men they are today.
Ebbie Jan was a small lady, but her size never prevented her from achieving her goals. But her willpower never backed her down from the work she faced. She helped care for the animals and the chicken house that she and Hubert built in 78. She also cared for her elderly mother while raising her sons and being a loving wife.
They raised her Grandson Justin from the time he was around 1 1/2 until he was 14 when he passed in 96. There was a special bond between them that’s hard to put into words. A part of her left when he passed but she continued for Hubert and her sons. She had done lots of running the road for Timothy and Phillip with school and ball, but nothing compared to the time she put towards Justin. Justin didn’t catch the bus. She took him to school in Chipley daily and then to football, basketball, or baseball practices and games in the evenings. She never missed a practice or game. Even so, she helped maintain a 16,000-capacity chicken house while Hubert was at work. In the summer months they would enjoy camping out at Porter Pond fishing or Rattlesnake Lake water skiing with Justin and Phillip.
One of Ebbie Jan’s favorite hobbies was working in her flower beds. Hubert loved to help her with gardening because he knew how special it was to her. He dug many holes to plant a new flower or relocate one for her. She often talked about a rose bush from her childhood at the Old Place in Vernon. She replanted this bush at her and Hubert’s home. It’s still beautiful and growing as strong as ever today. She spent many hours enjoying the beautiful flowers around her house and throughout the yard. She would drag around heavy, 100 ft water hoses to water the flowers regardless of her age.
Another favorite hobby was fishing. She could always out-fish anyone around her. She and Hubert enjoyed many days with him sculling her around in a jon boat fishing for bream or her favorite fish, warmouths. Ebbie Jan and her sister Lois Mae spent many days at Hicks Pond fishing for warmouth. Never mind that moccasins would be laying around in the grass or fire bushes everywhere you looked.
Ebbie Jan had a sister-in-law named Sylvia Street who resides with family in Beaumont, Texas. They considered themselves sisters because of their close, special relationship. She would be here today if she could but just like her remaining 2 sisters, she is unable to make the long trip here. But, they are present in spirit. Sylvia helped her through the passing of Justin and Hubert in so many ways. If they had lived closer together, Hubert would’ve had to build a bigger house for all the shopping trips they enjoyed so much.
Ebbie Jan was the true definition of a “Mom.” She will be forever missed by the friends and family she loved so dearly. Madison summed it perfectly when she said the day of her passing, “She’ll be with Pops and Justin now.”
She was preceded in death by her parents: G. I. “Gus” Street and Ruby Ebbie Gainey Street; husband: Milliard Hubert Hayes; siblings: Oscar Street, Brown Street, I.C. Street, Elender Monk, Clara Mae Jackson and Marvin Street; grandchild: Justin Timothy Hayes
She is survived by her two sons: Timothy Hayes and step daughter Mikayla Boseman; Phillip Hayes and wife Lisa; one grandchild: Madison Hayes; two sisters: Lois Mae Brock and Marie Cliburn; one brother: Lewis Washington Street.
Service will be held 3 PM Friday May 3, 2024 at Obert Funeral Home Chapel (731 Kirkland Road Chipley, Florida) with Bro. Roger Dale Hagan officiating. Interment will follow in Poplar Head cemetery in Chipley, Florida. Obert Funeral Home of Chipley, Florida directing. The Hayes Family would like to say a special Thank You to: Holmes Council on Aging: Amanda Wills, Courtney Jackson, Virginia Davidson, and Jessica Adams; Emerald Coast Hospice: Priscilla and Shelby.
The family will receive friends from 2-3 PM Friday May 3, 2024 at Obert Funeral Home Chapel (731 Kirkland Road Chipley, Florida).
