Bonnie Hayes Brown died of a heart attack at home in Hampton, VA on September 2, 2023. She was 78 years old. She was born December 9, 1944 at Dixie Hospital in Hampton, VA to Daniel and Laura Hayes. She graduated from Hampton High School in 1963. She met George Randy Brown shortly thereafter and the couple was married on December 28 of the same year. They started attending Saint Marks United Methodist Church. Bonnie had many roles in her church. She was a youth Sunday School teacher, a steadfast member of the adult choir, an active member of United Methodist Women, a willing volunteer, and a favorite contributor to many covered dish dinners over her 55 years of attendance. She taught the three year olds at Children’s World Preschool for 25 years. Over that time she became the director and owner of the school. Bonnie truly loved her school and all her students. She became a substitute Teacher’s Aide for Hampton City Schools later in her career. Bonnie was an active and proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The role Bonnie loved the most was that of “Granny”. She got to spend 15 years with her only granddaughter, Cailin Brown. The two were great friends and loved one another steadfastly. Granny served as a chaperone for almost all of Cailin’s school field trips and parties. She even drove her to and from school for many years. Granny and Cailin loved Disney movies and got to travel to Walt Disney World ten times and even went on a Disney cruise. What a privilege it was to have Granny in Cailin’s life.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel Riddick and Laura Lewis Hayes; and her brother, William S Hayes. She is survived by her sister, Linda (David) Hampton; her husband, George Randy Brown; and their three children, David (Kristi), William (Colleen and daughter Cailin), and Michael; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A public memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church Fox Hill, 1 Salt Pond Rd, Hampton, VA 23664 on September 30 at 2:00 pm. Please consider a donation in her name to First United Methodist Church in lieu of flowers. There will be a reception following the service.
https://www.tmcfunding.com/funds/in-loving-memory-of-bonnie-hayes-brown/8441/