Catherine Rita Carter

Catherine Rita Carter Hayes affectionately known as “MaeMae” departed this earthly life on August 31, 2015 at the Countrywood Nursing Center in Hopkins, South Carolina. Born in New Orleans on November 20, 1921, she was the youngest of twelve (12) children born to the late Jasper Carter, Sr. and Isadora Rooks Carter. Mrs. Hayes loved her native New Orleans where she was baptized and married in A Stronger Hope Baptist Church. Later in life, she became a member of the Greater Bright Morning Star Baptist Church also located in New Orleans. She was educated at the J.W. Hofferman School and was self-employed as a Seamstress. She was passionate about sewing and creating family heirlooms and clothing of distinction for friends and customers. All of the clothes in the family were made by Catherine and Henry Hayes. On August 28, 2005, she left New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina. In October of 2006, she moved to Columbia, S.C. to live with her daughter Regina. Yet, her heart and mind never left New Orleans. During this period, she developed dementia and she constantly talked about going home. She was able to return to New Orleans and lived briefly (two years) with her son Rodney, but missed her daughter and wanted to return to be with Regina. While in Columbia, she enjoyed worshiping at Trinity Baptist Church. Eventually, she moved to Countrywood Nursing Center where they provided excellent care for her until her transition. She married the love of her life, Henry Hayes and to their loving union four children were born: Regina Althea, Rodney Jasper, Alfreda Victoria and Gregaory Isador. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by seven brothers: Manuel, Ernest, Joseph, Printus, Richmond, William and Booker and three sisters: Eucharist, Rebecca and Myrtle. Mrs. Catherine leaves to cherish precious memories, two daughters, Regina Hayes Quillens of Columbia, SC and Alfreda Hayes Rouzan of Abbeville, LA; two sons, Rodney and his wife Lula of New Orleans and Gregory Hayes also of New Orleans; five grandchildren: LaTynia Taylor, Emily Monica Stephenson, Darleen Rouzan, Kelly Rouzan and Kenneth Quillens; fourteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. She was the last survivor and departed this life in her family’s birth order. Her memory will live on forever, in the hearts and minds of those whose lives she profoundly touched.

Catherine Rita Carter

November 9, 1921 - August 31, 2015