Franklin Delano Hayes was born on March 31, 1946, in Florence, Alabama, and passed away on February 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee – he was 79 years old. Frank grew up in poverty that is hard for many to imagine, living in countless houses and attending many different schools during his childhood and adolescence. He lost his father at the age of 11, a serious blow that was only softened by the arrival of a kind stepfather a few years later, a man that Frank always thanked God for bringing into his life. He graduated from Coffee High School in Florence in 1965 and later began attending Florence State University (now the University of North Alabama), thanks to the generosity of a benefactor. After high school, Frank volunteered for the U.S. Army and served for a year in Vietnam (1968) before returning home to Alabama to complete his college education. While at Florence State, he met and later married the love of his life, Glenda, to whom he was married for over 53 years, welcoming 3 children and 3 grandchildren along the way. He became a Christian in his younger days and walked faithfully with God for the rest of his life.
After receiving his Master’s of Library Science degree from Peabody College in Nashville, TN, Frank served as a periodicals librarian at Freed-Hardeman University (Henderson, TN) and then Harding University (Searcy, AR) for nearly 20 years. He also completed a Master’s in Public History from the University of Arkansas (Little Rock) and wrote a history of Harding University during his tenure there. He spent more than a decade as the librarian for the Palestine-Wheatley school district in eastern Arkansas. In 2007, Frank and Glenda moved back to Nashville to be closer to their children and grandchildren – living in Hermitage and eventually settling in the Donelson area in their house on Cottage Lane. Frank’s life may have begun with many struggles, but he was richly blessed throughout his life.
Frank was a dedicated father, engaging his kids in sports like tennis and basketball, including playing Alan and Tim “2-on-1” in these sports for years until they got too big. Along with Glenda, he attended numerous school programs and sporting events that his children participated in Searcy Public Schools and served as a dedicated “band parent” for many years as well. He drove his family on long trips for memorable vacations, including to Walt Disney World (twice) and Washington, D.C. Frank loved movies (especially James Bond movies), books, sports, ’60s music, and cars – including his beloved baby blue 1970 Volkswagen Beetle, the car that took Frank and Glenda on their honeymoon in 1972. Frank passed these loves on to his children in lasting ways.
Affectionately known as Frankie D, Frank, dad or grandpa, Frank will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents John Marvin Hayes and Annie Hayes, his sister Helen, and his brothers Horace and Marvin. He is survived by his wife Glenda Hayes, his son Alan Hayes (Alyssa) of Nashville, TN, his son Tim Hayes (Jamie) of Franklin, VA, and his daughter Amy McCarthy (Sam McCarthy) of Murfreesboro, TN, as well as his grandchildren Stella Hayes, Dean Hayes, and Jacob McCarthy, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Lester Hayes.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 1:00 PM followed by a celebration of life from 1:30-4:00 PM at the Donelson Church of Christ in Nashville, TN, on Saturday, February 7.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Goodpasture Christian School (GCS) in Nashville. Funds will be used to establish the Campus Accessibility Fund to help improve accessibility of the physical facilities in support of Frank’s grandson, Dean Hayes, who uses a power wheelchair while living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Dean is part of the GCS class of 2028.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff members of the Kempton of Hermitage, the Sapphire of Music City, the rehab therapy teams at Tristar Summit Medical Center, Shalom Hospice, and NHC Place at Cool Springs for their compassion and care for Frank in his final years.
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This obituary was published by Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home – Nashville Chapel.
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