Iola Hayes

Mother Iola Bolden Hayes, age 83, of Erie. Transitioned from her labor to her reward on Wednesday May 4, 2016 at Village of Luther Square.

Iola was born on May 14, 1932 to the late Jessie Bolden and Laura Slay Bolden in Pachuta, Mississippi.

Upon relocating to Erie, she attended The Opportunity Industrialization Center (OIC) and accepted a part time position and then became the Matriarch of the family as the caregiver to all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great nieces, great nephews and the Neighborhood of East 17th and 19th Street.

Mother Hayes accepted Christ at an early age and was a faithful, committed member of the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church under the former Pastor, Rev. Lee Marvin Evans Sr. and current Pastor Rev Richard Hairston Jr. Mother Hayes Continued to serve in various ministries, and in 2010 she received the “CHURCH MOTHER OF THE YEAR” award. Mother Hayes was a longtime former member of the Holy Trinity C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of the late Rev. Richard Hairston Sr.

Mother Hayes was well known for the love she gave to everyone she met. Giving Godly-wisdom and guidance. Her passion was feeding and sheltering the family, neighborhood, community and anyone in need. Mother Hayes was an avid cook; best known for her Fried Chicken, Tea Cakes, Macaroni and Cheese, Banana Pudding, Egg Pies and everything else she put her hands to.

In addition to her parents and husband. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Louise Hayes, Grandson Devon S Dupree. Sisters; Flora Mae Johnson, Berotha Bradley, Henrietta Jones, Sarah Jordan and Viola Jordan Strickland. Brothers; Sam Adam Bolden, Elijah Bolden, T. J. Bolden, Willie D. Bolden and Abraham Bolden.

Mother Hayes is the last of the Jessie Bolden and Laura (Slay) Bolden Era.

She leaves precious memories with her children: Marie Dupree (Willie A.) Jordan of Erie,PA., Diane Hayes Banks of Bay St Louis , MS., Jessica Raven Hayes of Pearl River, MS. Five grandchildren; Deundra S. Dupree, Danaro Lasean Moore of Erie, Lyndea D. Anderson, Edmend Alan Banks of Bay St Louis, MS. and Taneshia Gray (Orenthal) Whitlow of Virginia Beach, VA. Twelve Great Grandchildren; Malik D. Dupree, Danae M. Dupree, Sayvon X. Griffiths, De`Azia E. Griffiths, Shawnyea Moore, and Tayla McCreary all of Erie, Pa. DeShone` A. Williams, DeVontay C. Williams of Bay St Louis, MS. Jason Irizarry, O’Javion Whitlow, Jayden Whitlow, and Justin Whitlow all of Virginia Beach, VA. Sister-in-Law; Adrian Jolly-Bolden of Slidell, LA. Four Godchildren; Donna M. Evans-Jordan, Carolyn (Penny) Stovall, Sandy Hansbrew-Smith and Benjamin Knight all of Erie, PA. A host of Nieces, Nephews, Great nieces, nephews. Great-great nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Friends may call at the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, 1813 Schaal Avenue, Erie,PA 16510 on Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be Friday May 13, 2016 at 11 a.m. Pastor Richard Hairston Jr. officiating and eulogy. Interment will be at Erie County Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 602 West 10th Street. Memorials may be made to the Village of Luther Square 149 West 22nd Street, Erie, PA 16502.