Sunrise: April 5, 1959 ď ˇ Sunset: Nov. 24, 2020
“For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him” (1 Samuel 1:27) Sheila, affectionately known as Reneé,was born April 5, 1959 to the parents of Velma and Mimes Hayes. Magnetic. Charming. Loving. Charismatic. Compassionate. She was a woman favored at birth and determined to fulfill the purpose God had for her life. Reneé attended Marvin Street Elementary, Louis Pasteur Jr. High, and graduated from Dorsey High School in 1977. Post high school, she attended Santa Monica College where she completed general education requirements toward an Associate of Arts degree. R eneé’s professional experience afforded her the opportunity to serve as a Travel Consultant for Par Avion and AAA. After years of service, she resigned from her professional career to care for her mother. Reneé, nurtured in a Christian environment, accepted Christ at a young age. R eneé dedicated her life to the Lord and was baptized at New Light COGIC under the leadership of the late Bishop B.R. Benbow and Mother Rachel L. Benbow. Having a passion for the music ministry, she wholeheartedly devoted her time, talent and gifts to the music department at 88th Street Temple COGIC pastored by Anthony L. Williams. In conjunction with her weekly ministerial responsibilities, Renee sang, led, and directed the choirs under the leadership of Deacon Eugene Sutton (her Godfather), her sister Dianne, Brother Anthony Howard and Professor Iris Stevenson-McCullough in the local, jurisdictional, and international music departments within the Church of God in Christ. Reneé developed and produced annual Christmas and Easter musicals. Her level of expectation for these worship services was bar none. She crafted costumes and set designs, choreographed liturgical dances, rehearsed to perfection songs, tributes, and words of acknowledgement, all while fostering the love, growth, and spiritual maturation of each child. Hundreds would gather to celebrate the youth and young adults: witnessing their achievement of ministerial excellence and their fostering of a deeper, personal relationship with Christ our Lord. Reneé’s contribution to the body of Christ was unparalleled. She served dutifully and faithfully for over 50 years. Reneé our beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Reneé was a servant leader. She loved God and His people, and she lived to mentor, inspire, and encourage. She touched lives and sagaciously infused the lives of others. She exercised her gift of service and will be tremendously missed. Reneé is preceded in death by her aunt and uncle, Bishop and Mother Benbow; her brother, James Edward; and her only sister, Beverly Dianne. Reneé leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Velma Hayes; children: Brandy, Lamar and Aaliyah; four brothers: Robert, Dennis, Michael (Jacqui), Keith (Regina); one brother-in-law, Willie; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, friends and supportive church family. •
Presiding: Pastor David Sutton, Christian Enrichment Center Processional Invocation Elder Willie Longstreet, Assistant Pastor of 88th Street Temple Church of God in Christ Reading of the Scriptures Old Testament | New Testament Musical Selection: The Mass Choir under the direction of Professor Iris Stevenson McCullough Acknowledgements Evangelist Carolyn Lakey The Reading of The Obituary: Dr. Jocelyn Mull Solo Sister Donna Washington Reflections: 2 minutes each Pastor Ronald K. Hayes, Brother Sister Armeda Maxwell, Childhood Friend Special Tributes The Music Department of the 88th Street Temple Church of God in Christ Minister Jameil Lewis, Minister of Music The Youth Department of the 88th Street Temple Church of God in Christ Elder Cecil Thompson, Youth Pastor Sermonic Solo Pastor Elena Nixon, Sacred Holy Ghost Temple Church of God in Christ Eulogy Superintendent Anthony L. Williams, Pastor of 88th Street Temple Church of God in Christ Recessional
• ACTIVEPALLBEARERS MichaelDarnellMaxwell PrestonBroussard CurtisMoore GeraldSmith MichaelA.JonesII HONORARYPALLBEARERS Ha’Lel Rejoice Praise-N-Motion HighPraiseSteppers CTMMinistries
“Until We Meet Again” We think about you always, we talk about you still. You have never been forgotten and you never will. We hold you close within our hearts, and there you will remain. To walk and guide us through our life, until we meet again. Love your brothers,
Robert, Dennis, Michael & Keith
Wethoughtofyoutodaybutthatisnothingnew. Wethoughtaboutyouyesterdayandthedaysbeforethattoo. Wethinkofyouinsilence,weoftenspeakyourname. Allwehavearememoriesandyourpictureinaframe. Yourmemoryisakeepsakefromwhichwe’llneverpart. Godhasyouinhislovingarmsandyou’llforeverbeinourhearts. Love,
Your Nieces & Nephews .
ThefamilyofSheilaReneé findshealinginGod’stenderembraceandin knowingothersrememberedandcared.Thankyouforkeepingusinyour thoughtsandprayers.
You were such a precious gift from God above, You touched our hearts in so many ways, Your smile so bright you made my heart warm even on bad days. You heard God whisper calling you home, Youdidn’twanttogoandleaveusalone. You loved us so much, you held on tight, Till all the strength was gone and you could no longer fight. He called your name twice before, Youknewyoucouldn’tmakehimwaitanymore. So you gave your hand to God and slowly drifted away. Knowing that with our love, we will be together again someday. I love you always,
Mommy
~Interment~ InglewoodParkCemetery 720E.FlorenceAvenue,Inglewood,CA90301