Robert Emory Hayes, age 82, of 128 Prospect Street, Covington, Virginia died Monday, May 8, 2017. He was born April 16, 1935 in Darlington, South Carolina to the late Runic Hayes, Sr. and Eloise Hodges Hayes. He was a graduate of Mayo High School in Darlington and later earned BA degree in Education from James Madison University. Following his high school graduation, he joined the United States Air Force at the age of 18. He retired from the United States Air Force Allied Command in 1975 and worked in The United States Department of Homeland Security at the Pentagon. Robert was of the Baptist Faith, enjoyed puzzle solving and history. He fed the birds every day, and loved all animals, especially his cats, “Ms. Grey” and “Barer”. He was a fourth grade teacher for four years in the Bath County Public School System where the children absolutely adored him. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by five brothers, James Hayes, Runic Hayes Jr., William “Bill” Hayes, Claude Hayes, and Ennis Hayes. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Doris Turner Hayes; a sister, Cheryl Hayes Greene of Charlotte, NC; a sister-in-law, Lollie Berry of Washington D.C.; seven nieces and nephews, Sean Greene, Carmen Boyd and husband Raleigh, Kimberly Hayes, Linda Utley and husband Melvin, Anthony Hayes, Ricky Berry, and Steven Berry; three great nieces, Tiffani Berry, Courtni Berry, and Brittani Berry; two special cousins, Rosa Scott Johnson and husband Russell, and Prelista Yvonne Henry; members of the Charles Selleck family, including Autumn; and by special members of the Clark, Bland, and Hall Families, as well as the Turner family of Richmond, VA. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Pastor Stephanie Clark officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Millboro. Graveside military honors will be provided by members of the Curtis A. Smith VFW Post 1033. Active pallbearers will be Jay Johnson, Orlando Jordan Clark, Jr., John LaFlame, Steven Bland, Roy Hall, Russell, Johnson, and Rocky Ehlers. Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Tucker, Sr., Charles Selleck, Lawrence St. Clair, Carl Johnson, and Orlando Jordan Clark, Sr. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00-7:00 PM at Nicely Funeral Home.