Anita Faye Hays

February 21, 1945 - July 11, 2019

Anita (Nita) Faye Martin Hays, age 74, of Longview, TX passed on Thursday July 11, 2019 at Treviso Transitional Care in Longview, TX. She was born February 21, 1945 at Bearden, AR, and was a graduate of Bearden High School. She “won” her battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Nita came from a musical, Christian family and loved to sing and play old hymns on the piano. After spending time at home raising her two daughters, she worked many years as an Optician until she retired. She was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister and friend. She is survived by her husband, Ralph Hays of Longview, TX; two daugthers; Pamela Arnold and husband Gary of Kilgore, TX, Juanita (Sullivent) Beason and husband Joel of Longview, TX; step-son, Ricky Hays and wife Michelle of Kilgore, TX; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren; three brothers, Jeff Martin and wife Clarice of Tyler, TX, Mickey Martin and wife Irene of Camden, AR, Rickey Foord and wife Becky of El Dorado, AR and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Larkin Martin; mother, Mamie Ruth Martin; two sisters, Ernestine Clark and Patsy Wood and her brother, Dennis Martin. Services will be Wednesday July 17, 2019 at 10:00 am at the First Southern Baptist Church, 425 N. Cedar, Bearden, AR. Burial will follow at Salem Cemetery Bearden, AR. Donations made in Memoriam for Anita may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. A memorial service will be held at a date TBD at Lakeview Baptist in Longview, TX. Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce/Bearden. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net.