Jean Mahaffey

Mrs. Jean Herold Hayes Mahaffey, age 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 20, 2023. She was born July 3, 1933 in Winston-Salem, to Eugene Rothwell Hayes and

Grace Borders Hayes.

Jean lived in Winston-Salem her entire life. She graduated from Griffith High School in 1951 where she was actively involved in student life, playing basketball, Monogram Club and Y-Teen President. There, she met the love of her life Charles Olin Mahaffey, Sr. They were married 43 years until his passing in 1993.

Jean was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and is survived by two children, their spouses, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her son Charles “Chuck” Olin Mahaffey Jr. and daughter-in-law Peggy of Winston-Salem. Granddaughter Lauren Mahaffey Wade, husband Andy, great-grandchildren Tanner and Drew of Gordonsville, Virginia. Grandson Jonathan Mahaffey, wife Lauren, great-grandchildren Lachlan and Tate of Alexandria Virginia. Grandson Zachary Mahaffey, wife Haleigh and great-grandson Charlie Mahaffey of Augusta, Georgia. Her daughter Marcia Mahaffey Witt and son-in-law, Tommy of Winston-Salem. Jean also leaves behind her youngest sister Judy Hayes Stivers, of Atlanta, Georgia, her beloved cousin and friend Ella Borders Brown, a sister-in-law, cousins, many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. Along with her husband and parents, she is proceeded in death by her middle sister Barbara Hayes Parks.

Jean worked for Sides Florist, Salem Steel and retired as a receptionist from the WSFCS School System Administrative Office with 25 years of service. Service, giving, family, friends, church, sports, travel, plants, flowers and celebrating holidays filled her life.

As a mother she participated with her children as a Den Mom for Cub Scouts, Homeroom Class Mom, Team Mom for Little League, Pop Warner Football, Cheer, coached Little League Softball and attended her children’s Interscholastic Athletic Events. Both she and Charles were extremely active in the PTSA at the school and local levels for 24 consecutive years. They served as school and local PTSA Board Presidents.

During her career and in retirement she was involved in her professional organization EOP (Educational Office Personnel) at the local, state and national levels. FCAEOP, NCAEOP and NAEOP.  In 1989-90 she served as State President of NCAEOP. Her national association

involvement, NAEOP, included travel each year throughout the United States for conventions,  where many lifetime friendships were formed. Jean also sang in the WSFCS Employee Chorus. She was a member of the WSFCS Retired Personnel attending programs and luncheons. Most precious were her friends, a group of retired secretaries, known as the “Lunch Bunch.”

Jean served faithfully as a lifelong member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. She attended from 1941 until the churches closing in January, 2023. She was married at Covenant in 1951, she taught Bible School, Sunday School, sang in the choir, was President of the Women of the Church, Chairman of the Covenant Kindergarten, and was an Elder of the Church. In later years of the church, she enjoyed organizing outings for monthly breakfasts, the annual celebration of birthday’s and Christmas luncheons. Jean loved to donate to Sunnyside Ministries in the  Konnoak Moravian Church monthly food drive throughs. To quote Jean, “My life has been enriched by being a member of Covenant Presbyterian and a Christian.”

Travel was a passion for Jean and she prided herself in visiting all 50 States and Internationally to 10 different countries. She loved traveling to see grandchildren and attend great-grand children’s sporting events and birthday parties. Family beach trips and yearly mother daughter trips were a must. Bus trips, with Grace Baptist Church “DMA” were always the best with friends. Travel also meant attending sporting events of many venues and levels. If not attending a game she was watching it on television.

Jean loved plants, flowers and had an extremely “green thumb.” The beauty of her flowers and yard was accompanied by her love to celebrate holidays and decorate. She shared this passion not only with her family, friends and neighbors, but in later years with “The Oaks” nursing home. She became a volunteer with social, holidays and bingo activities with the residents. Her full calendar also meant monthly dinners with Griffith High School Classmates of 1951, that have remained close in the community for 72 years following graduation.

To know her was to love her. Jean never met a stranger and she touched the lives of everyone she knew and met. Truly a servant of God, her happiness and joy were found in family, friendships, serving and giving to others. God blessed her with a full and well-lived life.

The  family wishes to thank the nurses and doctors that cared for her at Novant Forsyth Medical Center along with Trellis Hospice. The outpouring of love and prayers from family and friends were blessings to Jean and her family.

Visitation will be held Friday, March 24, 2023 from 6-8pm, Hayworth Miller Silas Creek. A  Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 2pm, Hayworth Miller Silas Creek Chapel. The Service of Committal will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted or Memorials may be made to Sunnyside Ministries, 319 Haled St, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 or to a Memorial of choice. Online condolences can be made at www.hayworth-miller.com