Mary Eloise Hayes

With heavy hearts, we share that Mary Eloise Downs Hayes, age 85 of Wellborn, passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Mary was born to Eddie and Mildred Sledge Downs on June 14, 1940, in Navasota, Texas. She lived with her family in southern California and Arizona until the age of 14 when she moved back to Navasota. She graduated from Navasota High School in 1958 and married Charles Lee Hayes on her 18th birthday that same year. Mary and Charles then moved back to Arizona with her parents. Not long after settling in Arizona, they welcomed their first son, Dale Dean Hayes, in April of 1959.

Her family lived and worked various jobs in southern Arizona until 1963, when they moved back to Texas. After living and working in other states, they realized nothing compared to their family's homeplace of Navasota. In November of 1965, their second son Johnny Lee Hayes was born. Mary worked for several years as a valued staff member at the Texas A&M Veterinary School before she found her home at Evans Library. She found her true passion working as a librarian. Mary was an avid local historian and researcher. She loved researching her family history and wrote a book about the local families of the Millican area. Her published book, "Millican, Texas" can be found in the Evans Library.

Mary found great enjoyment in her retirement years going to garage sales, thrifting, and antiquing. This hobby soon turned into a small antique business, which Mary and Charles ran. Some of Mary's favorite times were spent selling her antiques at Warrenton and various other antique shows. Mary was a great cook and was always frying up some kind of vegetable from Charles' garden. At family gatherings, Mary was always known for bringing her delicious deviled eggs and signature mini pecan pies. She enjoyed tending to her flowers in the garden and had a green thumb with every type of plant.

Mary was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mary was loved by everyone who knew her and was a kind, gentle, and loving person. She was a devoted friend and enjoyed spending time with them on the weekends. Her favorite times of year were Thanksgiving and Christmas, where her giving heart showed through. Everyone always had a special gift or trinket for them under her Christmas tree. She cherished spending time with her three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Some of her fondest memories were when she kept the kids at her house during the summers. She would make them her famous sweet tea and dewberry cobbler.

Preceding Mary in death are her parents, Eddie and Mildred Downs, her brother Eddie Downs Jr., her husband of 59 years Charles, and son Johnny. She is survived by her son Dale Hayes and wife Phyllis of Kurten, and daughter in law Brenda Hayes of Wellborn. She has three grandchildren, Amanda Little and husband Jacob of Abbott, Taylor Hayes and wife Macy of College Station, and James Hayes of College Station. She has three great-grandchildren, Lilly and Abby Little, and McKinley Schultz.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Five Points Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center in College Station, as well as Allumine Home Health and Hospice for the love and care shown to her over the last few months.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 am Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center, 3001 S College Ave, Bryan, Texas. Graveside is to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cowboy Fellowship of Aggieland or Hospice Brazos Valley.