Janice Gail Hayes

Janice Gail Dockery Hayes of Adairsville, Georgia passed away on April 13, 2020, surrounded by her family. Janice was born in beautiful Lewistown, Montana on April 29, 1956. There was always a special place in her heart for her hometown. The house Janice grew up in, the kitchen sink to be exact, was considered the exact center of the state of Montana. Growing up, Janice was the baby of a large family including her parents, Ray and Helen “Rigger” Dockery, three older brothers Chip, Kevin and Mike and her older sister, Kathy. In 1974, she graduated from Fergus County High School. Janice attended East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee where she studied social work. After graduating in 1980, Janice moved to Georgia to start her career as a social worker. She devoted her life to helping children and families in need. Several years later, in 1985, she had her daughter, Erin Nicole “Nicki” Collins with her former spouse, Cecil E. Collins Jr. Janice lived in Canton, Ga when she fell in love and remarried Steven Hayes. They married on June 5, 1997, blending their family together with Steve’s son, Preston Joe Hayes. Years later, they moved to Adairsville, Georgia. In 2006, her daughter, Nicki, blessed her with a granddaughter, Aliya Nicole McBryde. Janice was now a “Mimi” and could not have been prouder. Aliya became her world. Janice retired after 34 years as a social worker and supervisor. Although her job was tough and not for the faint of heart, it was her passion. Janice will always be remembered by her co-workers for her selfless and compassionate nature. In 2017, Janice was blessed with a 2nd grandchild, William Joe Hayes from her stepson Joe Hayes and his wife, Jamie Hayes. Janice was more than thrilled to now have a grandson! Janice was a loving mother, “Mimi”, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to so many. Her heart was filled with care and compassion for others and she showed it throughout her whole life. Anyone who knows Janice knows she was a self-proclaimed “hippy” who loved listening to music and dancing anytime she could. She had an adventurous spirit about her and even though she had a fear of heights, she went skydiving and on a hot air balloon ride. Janice and her husband Steve were always doing something fun over the years - going out dancing, traveling, antiquing, visiting their tiny house and spending quality time together. She also had a strong love for animals, especially her dog, Hazel. She was still constantly asking her husband Steve if they could get another dog, a miniature donkey or even a miniature horse! Her greatest desire and joy in life was spending time with her family. Janice and her daughter, Nicki, were extremely close. For the past 3 years, Nicki lived with her in order to go back to college and Janice was able to spend almost every day with her daughter and granddaughter, Aliya. Janice had an infectious smile and such a joyful spirit about her. Janice could make any situation better. She was truly a beautiful person inside and out and she will be missed immensely. She is preceded in death by her father, Raymond Dockery Jr. and her sister, Kathy Dockery Iyalla. She is survived by her husband, Steve Hayes, her daughter Nicki Collins and fiance Jason Moore, her stepson Joe Hayes and his wife Jamie Hayes, her granddaughter Aliya McBryde and grandson William Hayes. Also, her soon to be granddaughter Jayelynn Moore and grandson Christopher Moore. She is also survived by her mother Helen “Rigger” Dockery, her mother-in-law Polly Hayes, her brother Raymond “Chip” Dockery III and wife Karen, her brother Kevin Dockery and wife Sheri, her brother Mike Dockery and wife Brenda, brother in law Tams Iyalla, brother in law Kevin Hayes and wife Betsy, her uncle Ronald Porter and wife Judith, her nieces Tara Dockery, Darcy Dockery, Kam Bruski, Ashley Taylor, and Natalie Dockery, and her nephews Tyler Dockery, Tamby Iyalla, Cristopher “Kit” Dockery, Ateli Iyalla, Haydn Hayes and Holden Hayes, as well as several great-nieces and nephews. Due to the current COVID-19 health crisis in the United States, a traditional service is not possible right now. The family has chosen to have a Celebration of Life to be scheduled at a later date.