All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Carol Jean Hayes

Obituary Carol Hayes

Carol Jean Hayes, 87, of the Gaines Road, Rock Cave, died Saturday, September 25, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon. 

She was born on January 22, 1934, in Frenchton, a daughter of the late Charles William and Felcia Fern Lee Lane.  On March 31, 1951, she was united in marriage to James Esley Hayes, Sr., who preceded her in death on October 25, 2010.  In addition to her parents and her husband, she was also preceded in death by one son James Esley Hayes, Jr.; one sister and brother-in-law: Meredith and William Evans; two brothers and sisters-in-law:  Dayton Lane and Beatrice and Charles Lane and Lucille; and two nieces:  Barbara Ours and Shelma Phillips. 

She is survived by one son Jackie Allen Hayes and partner Agnes Barnett; one daughter Deborah Renee Wilfong and husband David Wayne (Willie); two grandsons:  Trenton Drew Hayes and wife Megann Cutlip Hayes and Austin Lee Hayes; one sister Sheila Lane Kelley and husband James; one brother Dempsey Lane and wife Barbara; multiple nieces and nephews; and two special family friends/daughters:  Peggy Lough and Reta Evans.

Carol was a Methodist by faith and a member of the Jerry’s Run United Methodist Church and the Salem Ridge United Methodist Church.  She received her GED in 1973, and was one of the first licensed female coal miners in the state.  She was employed at Hayes Coal Company for 9 years in Jerry’s Run, WV, then with Bethlehem Mine #41 in Barrackville, WV for 9 more years.  After leaving the mines, she worked for 10 additional years cleaning houses for friends in the community before her retirement.  She was a Senior Companion volunteer in Upshur County for 14 years and her hobbies included quilting and embroidery. 

Many of her favorite times were spent playing Canasta and Dominoes with her family and friends and she was the reigning Canasta champion at the Hayes Family Reunions.  Family was always the center of her life and she was a mother and friend to everyone.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the Rock Cave Cemetery with Pastor David Jessie officiating.  The family requests that those attending the service wear facemasks. 

Online condolences may be extended to the Hayes family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The Hayes family entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel with the arrangements.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Three Lady Bucs earn Big 10 All-Conference Volleyball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur placed three players on the 2025 Big 10 All-Conference Volleyball Team, with senior Reagan Mason on the First Team and juniors Alivia Cogar and Avery Harmer on the Second Team.
WVWC Football Feature Image

Football ‘Cats land two players on MEC All-Conference Team

West Liberty’s Hunter Patterson and Charleston’s Aden Miller head a slate of Mountain East Conference award winners and All-MEC team selections, with Frostburg State’s Eric Wagoner named Coach of the Year.
WVWC Volleyball

MEC announces all-conference volleyball awards; WVWC’s Wheeler named Coach of the Year, Axe selected to First Team

The Mountain East Conference announced its 2025 volleyball awards and all-conference teams, naming Fairmont State’s Joey Borelle Player of the Year, Josie Skinn Libero of the Year, Wheeling’s Camryn Matus Freshman of the Year, and Nancy Wheeler Coach of the Year, with WVWC’s Bhrooke Axe on the First Team.

Three WVWC students join Lambda Pi Eta honor society

West Virginia Wesleyan College recently inducted three students into the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society. Students must meet strict academic requirements to qualify for the Communication Department honor society.

Rock Cave parents, teachers make final plea to school board before closure vote

Several speakers urged the Upshur County Board of Education to keep Rock Cave Elementary open during Tuesday’s regular meeting. A board of state-appointed officials will vote on the closure Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Clothes Closet hosting Black Friday sale this weekend

The Clothes Closet in Buckhannon is holding an early Black Friday sale this weekend with 50% off everything. All proceeds benefit the Upshur Parish House.

Two Buckhannon residents arrested for receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle

A Buckhannon man and woman were arrested after a license plate reader pinged a truck that had been reported stolen out of Harrison County.

Weyerhaeuser launches community survey for $1 million THRIVE program in Buckhannon

Upshur County residents can now share their ideas for how Weyerhaeuser could best invest $1 million in the community through a new online survey.

Kenneth Robert Winnings Jr.

Kenneth Robert Winnings Jr., a devoted son, brother, father and friend, US Army veteran and 5th-degree black belt who worked as a highway contractor, died peacefully Nov. 15, 2025, and will be cremated.

Carolyn Ann Johnston

Carolyn Ann Johnston, 82, of Buckhannon, WV, a devoted wife, grandmother, seamstress and member of Christian Fellowship Church, died November 17, 2025; visitation and memorial will be held November 22 with donations requested to Ellamore VFD.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: November 20, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting on November 20, 2025, with an agenda outlining items for discussion and action.

Deputy to be stationed at Hodgesville Elementary School after man charged with terroristic threats released on home confinement

The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office will place a full-time deputy at Hodgesville Elementary School until January 2026 after a Buckhannon man charged with threatening to shoot students was released on GPS home confinement following a guilty plea.