Marcus Avner Hayes, 85, of Nashville died Saturday May 6, 2017 at SGMC Berrien Campus.

He was born April 9, 1932 in Atkinson Co. to the late Clarence Hayes and the late Annie Bell Jowers. He retired as a SFC from the U.S. Army after 21 years service, having served in Korea and Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star; a retired postal carrier for the U.S. Postal Service; a former alderman for the City of Nashville and was the former chief bailiff for Berrien Superior Court. He was a member of Nashville First Baptist Church, Duncan Lodge #234 F & AM, VFW and a former courier for the Citizens Bank. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law: Todd Hibbitts; grandson Vassar Hibbitts; 2 brothers: Rufus Hayes and Carrol Hayes; 2 sisters: Clara Belle Cribb and Leola Ritch.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years: Martha Jones Hayes; 2 daughters: Marcia (Danny) Sanders of Valley, AL and Marian Hibbitts of Flowery Branch; 4 sisters: Marie Bruce of Willacoochee, Odell Tucker of Alapaha, Vonnell Cooley of Mt. Dora, FL and Maxine Green of Mt. Dora, FL; 3 brothers: Horace Hayes of Pearson, Gerald Hayes of Willacoochee and Dorman Hayes of Mt. Dora, FL; 3 grandchildren: Scott, Amy, Leanna; 5 great grandchildren: Riley, Jackson, Madigan, Benjamin and Tyler.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday May 9, 2017 at 2 PM at the Nashville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Keith Stewart, Mr. Dane Perkins and a military chaplain officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be Monday 6-8 PM.