Sharon Kaye Battles Hays

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Sharon Kaye Battles Hays, 65, passed away March 25, 2021, in Plant City, Fla., caused by a massive heart attack from COVID complications.

Sharon was born in Chicago, Ill., to J.T. and Juanita Snyder Battles. The family moved to Lakeland, Fla., in 1958 where she went to Southwest Elementary School and Southwest Junior High. The family moved back to Chicago and she graduated from Lockport High School.

Sharon met her husband Bill Hays who got Sharon a job at General Motors. She began her 30-year career at GM, starting as the only woman in the tool and die department. She quickly worked her way up to executive management often traveling to their many facilities. After her retirement, Sharon enjoyed living on and cultivating her family farm in Arkansas. She had the skills and strength to maintain the farm like no one else. She canned vegetables and repaired heavy equipment and fences. She had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. Perhaps her greatest passion was her love for all animals. She often rescued, fostered, and found loving homes for homeless, abused, and neglected animals. She loved to travel and visited nearly every state in the U.S. seeing friends and relatives. She often would lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She was loved and respected by everyone who knew her and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Hays; her parents; and brother, Edward Wayne Battles.

She is survived by her three brothers, James Lloyd Battles (Kathy), Benjamin Joseph Battles (Tinatin) and Ronald Lee Battles (Jacqui); sister-in-law, Jan Battles; partner, Rich Diemer; and many relatives from the Battles, Hays and Snyder families.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 8, at 2 p.m. in the Cobb Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until service time at Cobb Funeral Home. The family requests that any memorials be made to your local pet rescue, humane society or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.