Alma Marie (Cook) Hayes 77, born December 12, 1948, of rural Elizabethtown, IL, went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 31, 2026, at 12:38pm. She was surrounded by those who loved her dearly, and whom she loved with a passion like no other.

Alma was born on the family farm to Arthur and Juanita (Showalter) Cook. She grew up with three brothers and two sisters: Hansel Cook, Gordon (LaVerna) Cook, Marion Cook, Lucille (David) Helmers, and Wilma (Cook) Walker. She graduated from Cave-In-Rock High School in 1966.

That same year on October 28, 1966, she marred the love of her life, Earl Gene Hayes. In their 60 years of marriage, they weathered many storms. Some were worse than others, yet they always stayed the course.

 Together they welcomed two daughters: Kimberly (Jeff) Jenkins in 1970 and Amanda in 1976.

Kimberly and Amanda grew up on the Ohio River, boating and swimming with family and friends and riding the ATVs together. Alma coordinated it all, making sure the coolers were prepped and packed, sunscreen was applied, life jackets were fitted, towels were clean and ready to go, and the boat was ship-shape.  She also kept the family moving, taking the girls to t-ball or basketball games, cheerleading practice and FFA events, and to church when they were little. Their childhood was also filled with visits to the family farms and holiday gatherings.  She was really the glue that kept it from all falling apart.

In 1984, Alma earned her Cosmetology degree from Southeastern Illinois College while the family lived in Karbers Ridge, IL. She went back to college while raising busy girls running a household. She was proud to own her business and became well known throughout Southern Illinois for her exceptional talent with her shears, perm rods and color. She loved her patrons, and they were loyal to her. Alma retired around 2017. Soon after, she and Gene moved to their cabin on the family's farm, where she could look out the windows and see her beloved parents' homeplace.

Alma was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and her love knew no bounds. Jayci (Vaughn) Barger made her a grandmother in 1996. Garrett Underwood followed in 1998, and Elise Underwood in 2002.  Garrett later made her a great-grandmother. His three babies, Cooper, Lillian, and Theodore, were her most precious little loves.

Alma enjoyed being outdoors. Besides spoiling her grandbabies, she loved planting flowers, trees, and strawberries. She was also a gifted cook, and nothing brought her more joy than cooking and baking for the people she loved. 

She loved the holidays and Christmas was her favorite. She delighted in decking the halls, wrapping gifts, and filling the kitchen with cookies and candies for the neighbors. Always selfless, she loved watching everyone open up their gifts and saved hers for last. 

Alma also loved antiques. She hunted for great deals at sales and auctions and mastered the crafts of basket weaving and wreath making.

In 2025, Alma was diagnosed with lung cancer. Even as her body grew tired, she stayed sassy, and you never knew when she might crack a joke. She loved to laugh. 

She lived a full and bountiful life and had few regrets. She left a legacy of love and compassion, never truly realizing that the lives she touched would be forever changed by her thoughtfulness and generosity.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Juanita; her brothers, Hansel and Marion; and many other cherished family members. She is survived by family and friends that will miss her so much.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in keeping with her wishes, to the Central Cemetery Fund through Banterra Bank in Elizabethtown, IL.