Russell Hays Obituary

Thinking of you today.

I went to school with Russell. We were in the orchestra together at Trickum Middle and he was in my graduating class at Parkview. My parents still live off of Harmony Grove Road near the accident site.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I pray that God's loving hand be felt by his family! There is nothing anyone can say other than we love you and we're praying for you!
My mother-in-law (Nancy, 55) died in Feb 08 in a car accident before she could meet her grandson. We know how hard it is to lose someone in a car accident. There is no answer to why it happened.
My sister (Katy, 38) just died in November 08 of a pulmonary embolism. She has two precious girls age 3 and 5 and a mourning husband who don't understand why either. Katy found out she had stage 4 lung cancer (having never smoked) 3 days before she died.
I just want to pass on to you, Russell's family, that I know how you are feeling, I know how badly it hurts and I know it's hard to understand. How can a God who says he is "Love" do something like this. Well..., God decided to only take the best to be with him. That's how I look at it. He only takes the best. We just don't understand his timing. I'm glad my nieces didn't have to watch my sister suffer from chemo therapy, but a few more minutes would've let me and my family say everything we wanted and "goodbye". That's hard!
Please feel free to email me any time if you would like to talk. I'd be happy to talk or listen, whatever you need. I know I haven't met you, but I can listen very well.... Sincerely, Tricia Wentz Andress

I am so sorry this has happened. Russell was an awesome person and coach. He created a love for football in Nick and really helped him to become more confident in his abilities. He will truly be missed. We are thinking of your family and praying for your family everyday.

I am truely saddened by the loss of such a great man, husband, father, friend, brother and son. Russell will always be with us, through the eyes of his children and the music he left behind. I am blessed to have known Russell and know that he will be missed greatly.You are in our prayers Sam , Issac and Lily. May God bless you!

My dear Samarah and beautiful children, our hearts go out to you and the rest of the those blessed to know Russell. Peace, love and blessings to you and yours. Misty C

This must be so hard. I don’t understand why this happened, but I’m looking forward to seeing the good that is in your future. My heart goes out to you and your beautiful children.

I remember Russell from high school when he and my son Ian were good friends. I will keep your family in my prayers.

I really looked up to Russell in high school- he was a year ahead of me at Parkview, where we were in orchestra together. I remember him being a fine violinist and a real character. If something fun was going on Russell was right in the middle of it.

I am so sorry for your family's loss, and I am keeping you in my prayers.

Sam,
You were so hard to look at on Sunday. My heart breaks for you and is heavy for the loss of such an amazing man, husband, father and friend. Thank you for your friendship and love over the past eight years. Both of you have meant so much to me, and I am blessed to have seen your relationship grow. We will all miss Rus, but I pray we can honor him by loving each other with the intensity Rus loved you, his family, and friends.
love,
Corey

Sam and the entire Hays family - Just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers! I had known Russell from High school then got the pleasure to meet back up with him and his sweet Sam last year. We have been in touch every since. I am glad I got to see him play on the stage several times. Everytime I hear a fiddle play I think of him!! It makes me sad to know that his children will never know what a wonderful man he was! Sam please know that I love you and I am always here for you! Russell will be missed so much!!

Dearest Samarah, we met you quite a few years back when you worked at Ruby Tuesdays with my daughter Emily. We never had the opportunity to meet Russell, but from reading the comments in the guest book, it's easy to say that he was certainly a wonderful young man. I remember when you were expecting your first child but didn't know that you had had another little one. Nothing can replace the painful void in all of your lives right now. We are so very sorry that you must go through this grieving period, Samarah, but you are not alone. You are blessed to have many friends who love you and your children deeply. Surround yourselves with all of the family members and friends who are there to help you. Enjoy the memories of the good times together with Russell. Be angry with God if you feel that way. He can handle your anger and will continue to love you regardless. He knows how your heart is breaking, and He will mend it. He will strengthen you as you go forward in parenting Isaac and Lilli. Take advantage of the offers from friends, and don't rob them of the blessings to help you. Everything will fall into place in God's perfect timing. We send you peace and love and confidence that you can do all things through Christ.
Warmly,
Ray and Susan (Remillard) Bishop

Russell,
I can remember all the good times we had so many years ago and although it has been a long time, know that you will be missed my friend! My deepest condolences to the Hays family and know that you will be in my prayers.

Sam and family,

The thoughts and prayers of Simone and I are with you all.

Although only around Russell a few times, I could tell how much he loved you and how much he cherished those two beautiful children. Please pass along our sympathies to all of the Hays family for us.

Sorry that I was not able to make it for the funeral, but please know that you were and continue to be in my prayers.

Love,
Tom

I was a friend of Russell's in our high school days and at church in Lilburn. He will be sorely missed as he was a great guy. My deepest sympathies to his surviving family members. May our Lord bring you peace and sustain you in this difficult time.

Sam
We are so sorry to here about you'r lost. May God be with you and your family. Stay strong! The Davis family.

Rob,Anita,Rylan,Raelin & Aria

We are very good friends of Pam and Blake Hubbard's they told us what happened. We have heard so many wonderful things about Russell, his wife and kids. We are very sorry for your loss and our prayers are with his family and friends. I know he will be very missed! God Bless!!!!!!!!

Our deepest condolences from the Hickson family.

Jay and Diana Hickson

In 1991, the Parkview and Brookwood High School orchestras came together to form the Brook-view Orchestra under the direction of Brad Stewart. For this concert, Russell and I shared a stand. During one of the pieces I had a short solo and while I was playing I noticed in my left peripheral vision Russell slowing turing his head to me to reveal wide eyes and a dropped jaw (because Russell was so subtle). This seemed to be our relationship, Russell always in my peripheral watching me play; asking me questions “how do you do that,” “what bowing are you using here?”

Russell was a consummate learner with an armor piercing gaze in his eyes. Every one of us wears an armor to protect ourselves and to shield off pain and ridicule. My armor is my Asperger’s, and so I was never good with people, but this never bothered Russell. He could see right through all our armor, see us right at the core. This is why the church was filled this past Sunday at his memorial service, because Russell saw through all our armor.

Not long after the Brookview concert, I traveled to Tuscaloosa, Alabama from Lilburn, Georgia to play in a regional violin competition. Despite the fact the auditions were closed, Russell traveled all the way to Tuscaloosa, just to press his ear up against the door and hear me play. Well, my dear Russell, now you can hear me play because the door is forever wide open.

Love you like a brother.
Laura N. Reynolds (a.k.a Hickson)

Sam,

I am saddened to hear of your loss. Letting go is not easy. May the presence of family and friends bring comfort to you. Know that God has a plan for you and your children. I am a friend of your Dad (Rod) and Kim. My thoughts are with you and your family. In sympathy, Linda D. Moore ( Barrow County)

I am so sorry for your loss. My three-year old niece died in December and she loved music. Heaven must be alive with music right now as Russell is there to sing with our Sarah.
Your family is in my prayers.

May GOD guide all of Russell's family through the trying times they will face in the months to come. Use His strength and power to lean on and know He will always be with you.

Know that when the time is right you will be united with Russell in Heaven and will share the happiness he has now and forever.

I am a cousin to Russell. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family. God will sustain you and carry you during this most difficult time. May God keep you in his loving arms.

Russell,
My buddy, my sweet baby brother, I will miss you so much. I will miss your phone calls on the way to work each week. I love you and can't wait to see you in heaven. Love on grandma and papa for us! We love you so much!
Brandi

Russell, you were so amazing. As i watch Isaac sit here and laugh at Americas Funniest Home Videos (hes so beautiful), I can tell that hes going to grow up to be such a great man, like his father once was. He got to experience 7 years with you and for that he is lucky. You will be missed dearly by many people. I know what you and Samarah had was the most pure form of love i had ever seen. We will all meet again in the beautiful place that you are sent to. Time will heal. We love you.

Amelia Melancon (Samarahs Cousin)
-In behalf of the Melancon Family.

I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.

Russell always had a smile on his face no matter what life threw at him. I enjoyed the many years of great music from Russell. I will miss him dearly. Samara, may God hold you and your family close in the many years to come, keep your head looking up to Him. You may not remember me but I meet you at $3 dollar many years ago when you and Russell first meet. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Russell, beloved son of Michael, Teresa, Doug & Michelle, brother to April, Brandi, Douglas & Daniel, husband to Samarah, father to Isaac & Lilli - we all love you so much and cannot imagine living this life without you, but we so look forward to the day when we can rejoice with you in heaven. I want to hear you play that sweet violin again. Love always MOM.

Russell Hays was both a co worker and friend of mine. His passion for his family, friends, and life itself was his trademark.

I sat beside him for two years and will always remember the great conversation, the great stories, and the great times we shared together.

Samarah.....you and your family will be in my prayers.

I am looking forward to seeing you in Heaven, I can't wait to hear you play the violin while the Angels sing ! Susan, Brad, Matt, Will, Nick, and Michelle Martin

Our family is saddened by the news of Russell's death. We pray the Lord's comfort and peace for all of you.

Sam, I will always remember the beautiful and proud smile Russell had when he announced on stage during that concert that you were pregnant with your first child. He loved you so much. He was a wonderful person to work with and to get to know. I will never stop praying for him and your family.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.



Dacula Football

Russell's legacy shall forever live on through the lives of those he touched and through his beautiful wife and children. I cannot believe he is gone, but I know he is in a much more beautiful place than those of us here on Earth.

Sam, I will forever keep you and your family in my prayers.

Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Michael and Teresa - I am so sorry for your loss. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers in the weeks and months ahead.

You have a beautiful family, and are such great neighbors. We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Family. Russell will be missed, and we will always be hear for you...
God Bless! - The Merrill Family

I was a high school friend of Russell and always wished the best for him. He was always an extremely passionate and talented man and he will be missed. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and this loss for your family. May god bless you during this difficult time.

I will miss my baby brother dearly but have peace in knowing that we will be together again someday in Glory.
April Sikes

I will miss my brother dearly but will also look forward to the day when we will be together again in Glory.
April Sikes

You and your family are in our prayers.

The Street family

I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOU DON'T KNOW ME, BUT YOU LIVE DOWN THE STREET FROM ME AND I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I WAS THINKING OF YOU. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND COMFORT YALL IN THIS TIME OF LOSS.

Sam, I am so sorry to hear about Russell. Know that you have a lot of people that care. Stand strong, God is walking with you!
Susan (cheer coach)

Russell was always such fun and comfortable in his own skin. I am glad he grew into such a good man. He asked me to join his Facebook on 12/22. He will be missed.

I can remember softball games, hanging out, music and other great memories of you... even though it's been a while since we last spoke I will miss you.