Roosevelt Hayes, Jr., also known as “Pay Pay” or “Pop,” was born in Tallahassee, Florida, to the late Roosevelt Hayes, Sr., and Queen Meeks Hayes Austin. He was the second of nine children.

Roosevelt attended Leon High School. He worked as a master carpenter and mechanic, but overall, he was a handyman skilled in many trades.

Roosevelt was a loving and caring father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

He entered eternal rest on January 30, 2026.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children: Marco Hayes of Thomasville, GA; Crystal Hayes of Thomasville, GA; Melissa (Freddie) Harvin-Hamilton of Bartow, FL; Eric Jones (Pooja) of Moreno Valley, CA; and Tony Gunning–Davis (Williams). He is also survived by twenty-seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

He also leaves to mourn his passing: aunts: Evelyn Hayes Grant, Hattie Meeks Sloan, and Everlena Meeks Collins all of Tallahassee, FL and Amanda Meeks Isaac of McDonough, GA; uncles: Ball (Ruth) Meeks, Jr., of Tallahassee, FL, Fred (Judy) Meeks of Lake Wales, FL, Herndon (Patricia) Meeks of Bartow, FL and Hayward Williams of McDonough, GA; one great uncle, Frank Brinson, Sr., and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his two sons, Kendall Dale Walker and Jamal Hayes; his daughter, Turkessa Hayes; his granddaughter, Ah’yana Hayes; his sister, Dorine Hayes; his brother, Rodger Hayes, Sr.; and his grandparents, Oscar and Lela Sloan Hayes and Ball and Rebecca Brinson Meeks.