Norris Jean (Puddin) Hayes was born on June7, 1941, to Bertha and Charles Ford in Bardstown, KY. She departed this life on August 5, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospital.

Puddin united with Christ at an early age and joined First Baptist Church, Bardstown, KY. She was a faithful member in the church and after moving to Waterloo, IA, she joined the Community Baptist Church if Waterloo by watch-care. At Community Baptist Church she served as a Deaconess, was head of the Culinary Committee, Baptismal Helper, and volunteer for Vacation Bible School. She was compassionate about her Senior Companion duties for 15 years. She was head of the Board of Directors for KBBG (a religion-based radio station) in Waterloo, IA.

Puddin was preceded in death by her mother, Bertha Stivers Ford; her father, Charles Preston Ford SR.; two brothers, Raymond S. Ford and Charles P. Ford JR.; and five sisters, Wanda Owens, Connie Allen, Patricia Logan, Elizabeth Young, and Betty Ann Ford.

Puddin was a loving mother and leaves to mourn her passing, two sons, Anthony Shuan Hayes SR. (Stephanie) of Waterloo, IA and Timothy Scott Hayes of Greensboro, NC.; five grandchildren-Anthony Shuan Hayes JR., Terrell Scott Hayes, Taylean DeShuan Hayes, Abbie Avis, and Maxwell Stephon Dickens; six great-grandchildren- Jayecon Epps, Tayonna Reed, Kyrie Epps, King Reed, Kayden Hayes, and Kevin Hayes; one sister, Brenda Ford-Ware (Johnny) of Bardstown, KY.; and three brothers, Antonio Owens (Theresa) of Bowling Green, KY., Angelo Owens of Bardstown, KY., and Mike Owens (Paula) of Ft. Wayne, IN.; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.