Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Liberty Baptist Church to celebrate the remarkable life of Mrs. Rachel DuBard-Hays, 91, of the Jefferson Community in Carroll County, who died on Saturday, March 29, at her residence surrounded by her family. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The Rev. Gary Tanner officiated. Family and friends gathered one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, April 2, at the church.
Rachel was born on May 15, 1933, in Carroll County, the daughter of the late Silas and the late Daisy Hanks DuBard. She earned an education degree from Mississippi College and later earned a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Rachel taught in the Carroll and Grenada County schools for 17 years. After 17 years in the classroom, Rachel felt a call on her life to the mission field. Rachel was a Southern Baptist missionary in Liberia and the Ivory Coast in West Africa for more than 25 years. Upon her retirement, she came home to her beloved Jefferson Community in Carroll County.
On Nov. 6, 2011, Rachel married Mr. Preston Oliver Hays and they enjoyed 10 wonderful years together until his death in December of 2021. Rachel loved her Lord, His church, her family and the Jefferson Community. She was a devoted and faithful member of Liberty Baptist Church. Her impact on the lives she touched both here at home and on the mission field will be cherished and remembered for many years to come.
In addition to her parents, her brothers, Barry DuBard and Sidney DuBard, and lifelong friends, Joyce Barber, Margaret Fairburn, Vera Ferraux, Bobbie Moore and Alene Stovall, welcomed Rachel into Heaven.
Survivors include, two sisters-in-law, Yandel DuBard and Glenda DuBard; nieces, Melissa D. Whitehead (Gerry), Karma D. Simmons (Scott), Julie D. Turner (Mark), Emily H. Mitchell and Wendy Barton (George); nephews, Keith DuBard, Bryan DuBard, David DuBard and Matt Hamann and a special friend, Debbie Moore.
Gary Blair, Bryan DuBard, Keith DuBard, Triston DuBard, Matt Hamann and Holland Heath honored Rachel by serving as pallbearers and carried her to rest in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
