An eternally beautiful rose, Rose Richardson Hayes, was the third of six children born to Willie and Ora Richardson on November 21, 1938 in Lorman, Mississippi.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her only sister, Susie Jean Smith, and two brothers, Paul James Richardson, Sr. and Willie "Dan" Richardson.

Rose began her early education at Lorman Elementary School in Jefferson County and graduated from Liddell High School, Fayette, MS.  She then journeyed to Okolona Junior College, Okolona, MS and on to Mississippi Valley State University (the Mississippi Vocational College) where she graduated in 1961.  This beautiful rose is recognized as one of the most distinguished former queen (1961), who continued through the years to wear the title "Miss MVSU" with dignity, love, and respect for "The Valley."

Her entire professional career was spent in the Greenville Public Schools.  Upon her graduation from college, she began her teaching career as a business teacher at the prestigious Coleman High School.  There she continued her illustrious teaching career in the Business Department until her retirement in 2002.  Mrs. Hayes was a master teacher, who demanded perfection from her students, who still, today, laud her for her work and commitment to their achieving success.  They fondly reflect on her firmness in preventing them from "peeking" at the alphabets on the keys of the typewriter, which she had carefully covered.  ( This was before computers.) They smile as they reminisce that their fingernails had to be short and that as she taught them skills, she taught them to be professional.  Mrs. Hayes was soft spoken, very thorough, and very easy-going, yet quite stern.  Her work at Greenville High did not go unnoticed, for she was named teacher of the year 2001-2002 for her years of service and dedication, roses for a rose.  Mrs. Hayes was named Advisor of the Year for the Central District of the Mississippi Future Business Leaders of America.

The year 1961 was her year of roses, for not only did she begin her professional career that year, she married her college sweetheart and the love of her life, James Edward Hayes.  This eternally beautiful love affair spanned more than five decades and it never waivered; like diamond and roses, it was forever beautiful.  James and Rose were blessed with two lovely daughters, Kimberly Lynn and Karla Denise.

Growing up in Lorman, MS, Rose attended Rose Hill Christian Church; there she remained a member until she moved to Greenville.  While at Okolona Junior College, she met and became emboweled with Father S.W. Foster, the school chaplain.  By the time she arrived in Greenville, Father Foster had returned to Greenville and was pastor of The Church of the Redeemer-Episcopal.  Because he had been a major influence on her religious life in college, she gravitated to Father Foster's church, the Church of the Redeemer, and became a loyal, dedicated, supportive member for more than fifty years.  She truly loved her church.  She enjoyed working in her church in the numerous and many capacities; her work never faltered, not even as her health waned.  Her Christian work, like diamonds and roses, were eternally beautifully.  Rose has been recognized by her church with the Absalom Jones Award and by the Episcopal Church Women (ECW).

Rose was a quiet, silent, yet a very moving force within her civic organizations.  She was a member of the Progress Art and Civic Club (PACC) for over fifty years.  She served in every capacity of that organization, most notability as one of its president and as the first advisor for Little Progressive Art & Civic Club.  Later she became the advisor for the Teenette Art & Civic Club (TACC) where she performed an outstanding job.  As the Teenette advisor, the Teenette girls were recognized on the district, state, and national levels for their accomplishments.  Under her leadership, the Teenette Sweetheart Ball became the social event of the year for teens; invitations to the "Balls" were widely sought.  Rose's local work with youths catapulted her to the position of Youth Advisor for the State of Mississippi Federation of Colored Women's Club.  In 2003, she received an award for her outstanding work as State Youth Advisor.  The PACC recognized her for her dedication, loyalty, diligence, love and hard work by presenting an Uplifting Service Award for 2000-2004.  For her work with TACC, she was presented an award in 1985, 1999, and again in 2002.  In 2017, PACC honored Rose once again by naming her "Club Woman of the Year."

Rose's life of quiet commitment extended to her beloved alma mater, Mississippi Valley State University.  She worked diligently with the Washington County MVSU Alumni Association.  No task was too large or too small for her to undertake in promoting and supporting the University.

She was scheduled to be honored for her eternally beautiful loyalty and dedication to the Valley at the Hall of Honor Program; now, whe will be posthumously inducted into the Washington County Alumni Chapter's Hall of Honor in 2019.

The former Greenville club, the Ladies of Distinction Art & Civic Club, recognized her for her service to the community.  Additionally, she was a member of the Greenville Retired Teachers Association, a Liftetime Retired Member of the Mississippi Association of Educators, and the National Education Association.

Rose departed this life on February 15, 2019, at Delta Regional Medical Center, Greenville, MS.