Samuel Sherwood Hayes, Jr., affectionately known as “Brutt,” passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on October 13, 2026. He was born on November 13, 1943, in Mathews County, Virginia, to the late Samuel S. Hayes, Sr. and Doris Jarvis Diggs.
Sammy was the eldest of eight siblings. He was predeceased by three brothers, Franklin Hayes, Daryl Hayes, and Kenneth Diggs; his daughter, Kimberly Hayes; and his bonus son, James Lennard Rice.
On May 16, 1987, Sammy was joined in Holy Matrimony to Carolyn A. Johnson, sharing 39 wonderful years of marriage. The apple of his eye was his daughter, Debbie, whom he loved and adored with every fiber of his being.
Sammy attended public school at Thomas Hunter in Mathews County. As a young man, he worked as a cook on a boat, and later retired as a landscaper from Fort Eustis, Virginia, where his hard work and attention to detail were highly regarded. Though he spent summer months during his teenage years traveling to Philadelphia, Virginia was always his home.
Sammy was baptized and became a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Susan, Virginia. Later, he joined First Baptist Church of Ordinary, Virginia, alongside his loving wife, Carolyn, until they both could no longer attend. Known for his impeccable attire, love for dancing, and genuine warmth, his vibrant personality made him a beloved figure to all who knew him. Above all, nothing was more important to him than his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved his family deeply and was always an active, present force in their lives.
He leaves to celebrate his life and cherish his memory his devoted wife, Carolyn Hayes; his loving son, Tyrone Johnson, Sr.; his beautiful and supportive daughter, Deborah Hayes of Newport News; and his bonus children whom he raised, Thomas Cox (Tisha) of Gloucester, Virginia, and Annie Brown (Charlie) of Mathews.
He is also survived by three sisters, Jancie Dixon of Newport News, Virginia, and Rita and Susanne Hayes of Philadelphia; three brothers, Thomas Wayne Diggs (Sylvia) of Mathews, Virginia, Ricky Diggs of Newport News, Virginia, and John Hayes of Philadelphia; his sister-in-law, Carolyn Diggs of Middlesex, Virginia; his aunt, Alice Jarvis of Mathews, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Shawn Smith (Jolene) of Germany, Shaneika Smith of Newport News, Virginia, Kenley Williams of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Tyrone Johnson, Jr., Shakira Jackson of Newport News, Virginia, and Tiona and Adriana Johnson of North Carolina; and 11 great-grandchildren, including Isaiah and Namia Smith, who were the apples of his eye and with whom he shared an inseparable bond from the day they were born until his final moments.
Brutt’s legacy is one of warmth, kindness, and a steadfast devotion to those he loved. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched.
Daddy, we will forever love you and will miss you dearly. Thank you for always being present in my life. Spread your wings; you are home with the Lord. Until we meet again. — Your daughter, Debbie
