Chari Lynne Hayes

Chari Lynne Hayes passed away on November 17, 2024. She leaves behind her husband of almost 30 years Kevin Hayes, daughter Kara Hayes, sisters Linda Elois (Walton) Smith, Alice Marie Walton, Lorese Annette Walton, and a host of nieces, nephews, and those she called grandchildren. 

Chari Lynne Walton was born February 19, 1961 in Newton Kansas to Milton Walton and Mary Elizabeth (Lyle) Walton. She was the last born of their five girls. Being the baby gave her the advantage of being the one who was spoiled by the whole family. Linda, Alice, Roberta and Lorese were her protectors and her best friends. Chari was a prankster and her sisters were the target of her jokes. They were either scared silly or laughed until they cried. She loved animals and she never stopped taking in dogs who others would not bother with and giving them loving homes. 

Chari graduated from Newton High School and soon after she started a varied work career. She worked several jobs in different industries, among them logging camp worker, waitress, grocery checker, concrete laborer and cabinet maker. Excel Industries, Midcontinent Cabinetry, Newell’s Restaurant, Schowalter Villa, Food 4 Less, Prestressed Concrete, and White’s Food Liner were among the businesses lucky enough to have had her as an employee. As with her career she tried many paths in her personal life. It seemed she was looking for the perfect path to fulfill her dreams. In that search she found Kevin Hayes. Miracle of miracles and after a medical emergency Chari became pregnant with a baby girl. Konner Lynne Hayes was born December 29, 1994. She always had a smile and her laugh was contagious. Kevin and Chari were married May 2, 1995. Through all the trials that life throws at us, Kevin and Chari saw their Miracle Baby marry longtime partner James Maxwell and become mother to his children Lily, Colin, and Dublin. To our deep sorrow Konner was killed in an accident June 22, 2024. It was a blow to all, but Chari had been suffering from some medical conditions and the grief overwhelmed her. We will miss all our loved ones that we have lost in such a short amount of time and wish all of them a safe journey and a soft landing with all those that left before us. 

Chari joins her father Milton Walton, mother Mary (Lyle) Walton, sisters Doris (Lyle) Caw and Roberta (Walton) Walker, brothers Robert Lyle and Raymond Lyle, and her beloved Konner as well as all those we have lost that she called family. 

Kevin Hayes, Handsome Dale Hayes, Kelly Hayes, Kara Hayes, James Maxwell, Lily, Colin, and Dublin Maxwell and the rest of the Hayes and Maxwell families; Linda (Walton) Smith, Alice Walton, and Lorese Walton and the Walker, Smith, Lyle, Sanders, Edwards, and Caw families all appreciate your condolences.