UPDATE 1/29/22:
Due to the Winter Storm on the East Coast, the Memorial Service for Tracey J. Hunter Hayes has been postponed to Thursday, February 3, 2022. Viewing begins at 10 AM (9:00 AM Central Time) and services begin at noon (11:00 AM Central Time). You can view this all via the Facebook Page for the Pastors & Ministers Conference Philadelphia & Vicinity at https://www.facebook.com/Baptist-Pastors-Ministers-Conference-Philadelphia-Vicinity-114656083560144/
Recent Arrival Had Significant Impact on Library’s Culture & Inclusion
It is with deep sadness that the City of DeSoto announces the death of Library Director Dr. Tracey J. Hunter Hayes of the DeSoto Public Library. He passed away on January 19, 2022, and his Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Online viewing information will follow at the end of this news release.
“We are all heartbroken about the loss of one of DeSoto’s newest and most distinguished family members who was only with us for a short period of time, but who will leave a positive, lasting impact on our City,” said DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor. “Hunter had a special way of making others in his presence feel important and appreciated.”
“The DeSoto family is devastated at the unexpected news of Hunter’s passing, and we want to offer our deepest condolences to his wife Kathleen and family who have become part of DeSoto’s family,” observed DeSoto City Manager Brandon Wright. “Hunter did a fantastic job running our Library system and making it a welcoming place for people of all cultures and backgrounds. He never hesitated to step up and take on a challenge.”
Tracey J. Hunter Hayes spent more than three decades of his life serving in the library industry starting as a children’s librarian and working his way up to leadership positions in public, special, and academic library institutions.
Dr. Hayes held a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, a Master of Library Sciences degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Divinity degree from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. Hayes was also an ordained American Baptist minister and was consecrated as a Bishop by the Philadelphia Council of Clergy.
The memorial service for Tracey J Hunter Hayes, DeSoto’s late Library Director, has been delayed due to the Winter Storm on the East Coast, until Thursday, February 3, 2022. Viewing begins at 10 AM (9:00 AM Central Time) and services begin at noon (11:00 AM Central Time)., and will be viewable via the Facebook Page for the Pastors & Ministers Conference Philadelphia & Vicinity at https://www.facebook.com/Baptist-Pastors-Ministers-Conference-Philadelphia-Vicinity-114656083560144/
Rita Cook did a recent feature on Dr. Hayes,
DeSoto’s ‘Renaissance Man’, Managing Dir. of Library Services’ Brings Experience To DeSoto
