Aug. 4, 1931 — June 23, 2014

Betty Lavern Hayes, nee Connor, born Aug. 4, 1931, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, passed away on June 23, 2014, in Frisco, Texas, after an extended illness.

Her parents, Marie Hoffman Kampschrader and Lewis Patrick Connor, preceded her in death.

On Aug. 21, 1949, Betty and Willie R. Haynes were married. Their three sons, Keith Haynes of Dowagiac, Daniel (Jan) Haynes, of Grand Haven, Michigan and Timpothy Haynes of Frisco, Texas, share the loss with their father, as will Willie’s sister, Maudie Walker, for whom Betty was like a sister.

Betty was known more as Lavern by her own family. She is survived by sisters Doris Albers Sutherland, of Watervliet, and husband Jack who currently resides in a nursing home; Judy Albers Beckwith, of South Haven, Michigan, Mary Albers Hall and husband, Marvin, of Doniphan, Missouri, and Alice Albers Avery and husband, Vern, of South Haven. Also surviving Betty are three brothers, Phillip Hoffman and wife, Edna of Deming, New Mexico, Warren David Albers and wife, Lois, of South Haven, and John Albers and wife Linda of Carthage, Texas.

Betty leaves also three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Betty worked in South Haven, Michigan, before her children were born, first as a waitress, then as a telephone operator and supervisor for the original Tri-County Telephone Company that became General Telephone Company.

When Willie retired, they were able to travel a great deal. After they settled in the Dowagiac area, she worked for H&R Block for 20 years and then several years for Wick’s Apple House.

Betty’s health had been failing for the last two years, but she always enjoyed returning home to southwestern Michigan in summers for the annual family reunion and to see her longtime friends.

Her family and friends will miss her greatly.

There will be no service at this time. Interment will be at a future date.