Bernice Hayes, nee Copling, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Monday, March 3, 2014 at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 21 days. She was born August 13, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri to Noah and Rose Warden Copling.  On November 5, 1951 in Salem, AR, she was united in marriage to Virgil Hayes who preceded her in death on June 30, 1996.

Bernice attended the United Baptist Church. She always enjoyed working with puzzles, collecting dolls, but most of all loved being with her family.

She will be sadly missed by her sons, Virgil Hayes Jr. of Rolla, MO, Otis Hayes of Farmington, MO, David Hayes of Bourbon, MO, Donald and Robert Hayes of Licking, MO, James Hayes and wife Alvina and Curtis Hayes of Steelville, MO, Noah Hayes of Leasburg, MO and Roger Hayes of OK; five daughters, Zelma Alexander of Cuba, MO, Edith Massey and husband Ed of Washington, MO, Daisy Abbott of Farmington, MO, Connie Golden and husband Jim of KS and Jane Young and husband Glenn of Houston, MO; one brother, Henry Copling and wife Patsy of Cuba, MO;  sister in-law Marilyn Copling of Cuba, MO; thirty grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Virgil Hayes, one daughter, Mary Ann McGuire; four brothers, Vernon Copling and wife Marie, Otis Copling, Benjamin Copling and wife Mary Lou and Leroy Copling; six sisters, Artie Eddleman, Arlie Kulman, Hazel Workman, Ida Carrkuff Violet Roth and Vivian Beal.

The Family received friends from 5:00 pm. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Pastor Henry Copling officiating with Patsy Copling reading the obituary. Special music of "The Old Rugged Cross" "One Day at a Time" and "If Heaven" was played.  Other music of "Coming Home" was sung by Jessica Hayes. Prelude and postlude were played by Deloris Bell. Scripture and memories were shared by Elsie Turnbough.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Lick Creek Cemetery, Cuba, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Curtis Hayes, James Hayes, Dustin Hayes Joshua Hayes, Anthony Massey, and Lee Pogue.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.