Letha Montgomery Hays

Letha Montgomery Hays, 83, co-founder of Hays Music in Poplar Bluff died peacefully at her home Friday, Sept. 27, 2013 with her family by her side after a yearlong illness.

Letha was born Dec. 26, 1929 to Coker and Hazel Montgomery in Patterson, Mo. She was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School and lived in Poplar Bluff the rest of her life. On Feb. 20, 1949, she married Joel S. Hays, son of the late Paul C and Buena C. Hays. He preceded her in death on May 22, 1982.

With Joel, she founded the Record Shop in 1947 and that grew to Hays Music Store in 1957. It has been a fixture of the downtown business community since that time at three different locations. The store, in addition to being a business, was also a place where teens gathered for many years, to listen to records and talk, and Letha was always gracious with space and a sympathetic ear. The business was great friends to many musicians over the years, with planned and impromptu jams many weekend evenings. She and her family also owned and operated Hays Ladies' Wear in downtown Poplar Bluff from 1985 to 1999.

Letha was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was the secretary and treasurer of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class for 53 years, resigning last fall when her illness began to advance. Carrying on the family tradition from the Hays side, she took the Baptist Sunday School Lesson to the County Jail every Sunday after the Baptist men in the family passed away in the 1990's.

Letha was widely known as an excellent cook and cooked for anyone who wanted something good to eat. For many years, she cooked for Church functions and contributed countless numbers of casseroles, particularly green beans, and pies to civic and charitable caused over the years.

She had been an active member of the Altrusa Club and was selected Altrusan of the Year in the mid 1990s.

Survivors include two children: Gregory Alan Hays and Luana B. Hays both of Poplar Bluff; a granddaughter, Sarah Hays of St. Louis, Mo.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, a sister, (Anne) Norene Schell and two brothers, Hamil Montgomery and (Jack) Alan Montgomery also preceded Mrs. Hays in death.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1st at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon with the Rev. David Stewart officiating. Interment will be at the City Cemetery.

Memorial may be made to First United Methodist Church, 500 North Main St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 in lieu of flowers if desired.