Mrs. Rachel DuBard Hays, 91, of the Jefferson Community of Carroll County, passed away Saturday, March 29, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born May 15, 1933, in Carroll County to Silas and Daisy Hanks DuBard. Rachel earned an Education degree from Mississippi College and later earned a Master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Rachel taught in the Carroll and Grenada County Schools for 17 years. After 17 years in the classroom, Rachel felt a call on her life to the mission field. Rachel was a Southern Baptist Missionary in Liberia and the Ivory Coast in West Africa for over 25 years. Upon her retirement, she came home to her beloved Jefferson Community in Carroll County. On November 6, 2011, she married Mr. Preston Oliver Hays and they enjoyed 10 wonderful years together until his death in December of 2021. Rachel loved her Lord, His church, her family and the Jefferson Community. She was a devoted and faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church. Her impact on the lives she touched both here at home and on the mission field will be cherished and remembered for many years to come.
Funeral services to celebrate her remarkable life were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at Liberty Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Tanner officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Family and friends gathered one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church.
Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Yandel DuBard and Glenda DuBard; nieces, Melissa D. Whitehead(Gerry), Karma D. Simmons(Scott), Julie D. Turner(Mark), Emily H. Mitchell and Wendy Barton(George); nephews, Keith DuBard, Bryan DuBard, David DuBard and Matt Hamann and a special friend, Debbie Moore.
Rachel was welcomed into Heaven by her parents; two brothers, Barry and Sidney DuBard and lifelong friends, Joyce Barber, Margaret Fairburn, Vera Ferraux, Bobbie Moore and Alene Stovall.
Gary Blair, Bryan DuBard, Keith DuBard, Triston DuBard, Matt Hamann and Holland Heath honored Rachel by serving as pallbearers and carried her to rest in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).
