Alexandria, LA ~ Betty Jean Hayes, 74 of Alexandria, Louisiana, passed away on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Christus Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Betty was one of seven children of Christine Chilton and R. Lee West, was born on Sunday, November 9, 1947, in Conran, Missouri.  Betty was raised in Southeast Missouri and graduated from Malden High School.  In November 1968 she married Garry Hayes of Risco, Missouri and began her odyssey as an Air Force wife, living in places as far apart as Zaragoza, Spain and San Bernardino, California with many stops in between.  After Garry retired from the Air Force in 1990, they settled in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Garry and Betty raised two children; Ryan (MSG, U.S. Army who preceded her in death) and Carla.

Beside her husband, Garry, survivors include daughter, Carla and her significant other, Blake Schlautman of Alexandria, Louisiana; two grandsons, Matthew of Dallas Texas and Zach of Hot Springs, Arkansas and one great-granddaughter, Mattie of Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Also surviving are her brothers Mike West and wife, Kathy of Malden and Kenny West and wife, Susan of Campbell.

Betty was the glue that held the family together during many frequent moves, changes of school for the children and extended absences of Garry due to his military duties.  She was a kind and gentle lady who never complained about the moves or her role in raising the children.  She will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends that she has made all over the world.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m., Monday, December 27, 2021 at Landess Funeral Chapel in Malden.  Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at the funeral home chapel.  Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Malden.

Landess Funeral Home of Malden will be in charge of the arrangements.