Maxine Arizonia (Pickney) Hayes was born in Hoxie, Arkansas on February 13, 1933 to the late Reverend Richard Clayburn (R.C.) and Laura Jane (Yates) Pickney.  She was the oldest of 5 children. She gave her life to the LORD JESUS CHRIST at the age of 11 and was baptized in Milligan Ridge, Arkansas. After attending 9 schools in a span of 11 years, she graduated from Senath-Hornersville High School in 1951.

On May 3, 1952, after an evening worship service at the Senath First Assembly of God Church, she married Floyd Doyle "Johnny" Hayes.  They were married for 57 years. Together they raised five children on a farm just a few miles north of Senath, Missouri in the Allen Island community.  In the late 1950's, they also purchased and operated a small café, The One Minute Lunch , located on Commercial Street in Senath. During her lifetime she worked outside the home as a waitress at several local restaurants, at Emerson Electric, and as a store clerk at Sterlings, Magic Mart and retired from Wal-Mart in 2000.

Maxine was both frugal and generous. Anyone who entered her home was fed and loved. Her grandmother lived with them for over 30 years. She shared her home with her ailing sister-in-law as well as two foster daughters. After retirement, she volunteered as an ombudsman at the Senath Nursing home through the Area Agency on Aging.

Maxine was a member of the First Assembly of God Church of Senath for more than 70 years. Among other duties, she served in her church as a deaconess, as the Sunday School teacher for the Young Grandmas Class and was the treasurer for the Women's Missionary Union. She was faithful in her attendance and giving of tithes and offerings.

She always put everyone's needs before her own and never spoke poorly of anyone. She especially enjoyed cooking for her five children and their families which include 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. No one made better apricot fried pies than she did.

Maxine left this earth on Monday, October 4, 2021 from the St. Bernards ICU in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the age of 88 years, 7 months, 21 days. Her husband, parents and her sister Joyce Cates and husband Herman greeted her when she arrived at her eternal home.

Her other siblings and spouses Clay and Sue Pickney of Springfield, Missouri; Pat and Mike Miller of Battlefield, Missouri; Jim and June Pickney of Urbana, Missouri and her sister-in-law, Lucille Hayes of Scott City, Missouri grieve their loss but rejoice in her victory over death.

Maxine's many nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends will also miss her.

Her descendants:

Jim and Charla Hayes of Senath, Missouri

Jake and Christen Hayes of Jonesboro, Arkansas

Cole, Hannah

Amanda and Brett Mann of Jonesboro, Arkansas

Debra and Dennis Murphree of Franklin, New Hampshire

Daniel Murphree of Ridgedale, Missouri

Aletheia  Murphree of El Dorado, Arkansas

Elijah, Jeremiah

Charles and Ramey Murphree of Concord, New Hampshire

Clyde, Clay

David and Holly Murphree of Jacksonville, Arkansas

Micah, Eli

John and Courtney Murphree of El Dorado, Arkansas

Vanessa, Alyssa

James Murphree of Franklin, New Hampshire

Janna and Gage Epperson of El Dorado, Arkansas

Braxton, Cecilia, Maya

Sharon and Larry Keith Cooper of Jonesboro, Arkansas

Adam and Gina Cooper of Paragould, Arkansas

Ethan, Evan, Madilyn

Jessica and Scott Browning of Caraway, Arkansas

Caden, Will, Ben

Janet and Mark Dunivan of Caruth, Missouri

Samantha and Mitchell Nail of Jonesboro, Arkansas

Baron, Callum

Zachary Dunivan of Bono, Arkansas

Stephanie and Seth Campbell of Tomball, Texas

Jonathan Dunivan of Caruth, Missouri

Kimberly and Stevie Parris of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nate Dunivan of Bono, Arkansas

Donna and Rick Haywood of St. Francis, Arkansas

Kalee Haywood of Brookland, Arkansas

Nick Haywood and fiancé Ashton Brown of Brookland, Arkansas

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at First Assembly of God Church located at 601 State Street, Senath, Missouri.

The Celebration of Life service for Maxine A. Hayes will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at the First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Richard Oliver officiating. The interment service will follow at the Senath Cemetery.

Grandsons will server as pallbearers and granddaughters as honorary pallbearers.