Neva Lynnette Collins Hays, age 77, of Berry, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at her daughter's residence. She was born in Williamstown, KY, on December 3, 1946, to the late Charles and Alma Neal Collins. Besides her parents, Neva was also preceded in death by a brother, Ronnie Collins.
Neva is survived by her husband of 59 years, James K. Hays; a son, Stephen (Christina) Hays; daughters, Sherry (Luis) Alas, Michalanne (Gary) Thomas; brothers, Charles “Butch” Collins, Kevin Collins, Anthony “Tony” Collins; sisters, Sandy Franks, Susan Race, Pamela Hart; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Neva has selflessly donated her body to the University of Cincinnati Body Donation Program of Medical Education. Her husband Mike proudly stated that she was the finest person, the best Christian and most Godly loving wife and mother that he has ever seen. She was his strongest and the most supportive person in his pastoral ministry of 50 years.
Neva loved to cook, Mike said she was a five star cook. She did extensive quilting, canning and gardening, and loved her flower gardens. Neva was so thankful for and proud of their dog trot log house, her home, and was an immaculate housekeeper. She was very confined growing up and when she married Mike and left home, was very interested in learning about and doing new and exotic things.
Neva’s love on earth was Mike, but her greatest love was Christ. She did everything she could to serve him. She loved teaching, many in church said she was the best teacher they had ever heard. Neva loved missions and evangelism. She has gone with Mike to Poland to build a children’s home, worked on Big Coppitt Island with seven nationalities for the Southern Baptist Home Missions Board, done mountain mission work in Harlan County, and helped with various other missions across America. Her daily prayer and passion were for people to accept and serve Christ.
A Celebration of Life, encouragement and remembrance service will be held for Neva, and to glorify Christ, on Saturday, September 28, at 2 p.m. at Cynthiana Baptist Church. A visitation with family will be held prior to the memorial service from 12 p.m. until the time of services at 2 p.m.
Any donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: Sunrise Children’s Services, PO Box 1429, Mt. Washington, KY 40047 or sunrise.org; or The Gideon’s International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800 or gideons.org/give; or Cynthiana Baptist Church Mission Fund, 212 East Pleasant St., Cynthiana, KY 41031.
Please, if you need to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior and then serve Him, Neva would be happy and would say, “I love you”.
View and sign guestbook at www.warefuneralhome.com.