Emory Preston Hayes, 95, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024.
Preston was born on December 3, 1928, to Lloyd and Ethel Hayes in Rome , Georgia and was raised by his loving mother.
He worked various jobs helping to support he and his mother while attending Rome Boys High School and then studied accounting at North Georgia Business School.
He married Nell Daniels in 1948 and soon after in 1950 he joined the the Army Reserves as a Master Sergeant during the Korean War.
Preston worked as an accountant and later trained and worked as a chemist for Celanese Corporation in Rome.
During the early sixties, he went into business for himself and successfully opened and operated The Fabric Center in Rome, and eventually opened a couple of more locations.
In 2005, after living in Rome for 77 years, he and his wife moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida to be near their son, daughter and grandchildren.
He continued to care for his wife while she suffered with Alzheimer’s disease until her passing in 2011after 63 years of marriage.
He enjoyed playing golf with friends and family, gardening, woodworking and fishing at his lake house. Preston was preceded in death by his mother and wife. He is survived by his son Mitch Hayes and his granddaughter Shelby Heflin(Josh). His daughter Missy Waldorff(Dale), grandson Brent Waldorff, granddaughter Jenna Colburn (Dustin), and two great grandchildren Stella and Hayes.
A graveside service will be be at East View Cemetery in Rome, Georgia at 11:00AM on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Arrangements are entrusted to Parnick Jennings Good Shepherd Funeral Home.
