New Hanover County will host a tree planting ceremony and community gathering in Airlie Gardens on Wednesday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m. to celebrate the life of Commissioner Deb Hays and honor her service to the citizens of New Hanover County.
“This will be an opportunity for our community to come together to reflect and honor the life and work of Deb and to dedicate a living oak tree that will grow, take root and forever be a symbol of their love for this community. We hope those who knew Deb can attend to fellowship, share memories and reflect on Deb’s life of ministry,” Board Chairman Bill Rivenbark said in a statement.
According to the county, the rain-or-show event will begin with brief remarks, followed by a ceremonial tree planting and blessing at Bradley Creek Lawn in Airlie Gardens.
The county is inviting everyone who knew the late commissioner to attend, but expects parking will be limited and is asking those who can carpool to do so.
The county also shared Deb Hay’s obituary, which appears below. The obituary notes that “in lieu of flowers, donations can be made through Ever Loved to establish the Deb Hays Foundation, with a mission to support community projects in the greater New Hanover County area, and if you have a mother, please call her.” and tell her you love her.”
Donations can be made here.
Debra Hulse Hays, 64, surrounded by her beloved family, passed away suddenly on March 25, 2023.
Deb was born and raised on December 20, 1958 in Louisville, KY to Frank Bennett Hulse Jr. and Carolyn Hays Hulse. Although she was born and raised in Louisville, her pride in Wilmington was unparalleled and will always be her home.
Deb was a dedicated civil servant and followed in her father’s and mother’s footsteps. Before becoming County Commissioner, Deb served her community in every way possible, serving as both Chair of the Wilmington Planning Commission and a member of the Wilmington Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. In addition to her public service duties, she has also served on Lump to Laughter, the Airlie Gardens Foundation, the NC Azalea Festival, the Wilmington Airport Authority, the Community Leaders Task Force, Habitat for Humanity, and the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM). Serving as County Commissioner for New Hanover County brought her incredible joy and pride. Her love and passion for her community was contagious, and her life was dedicated to making New Hanover County the best possible place to live.
Her love for her babies was also second to none. She cherished the time she spent with her beloved daughter, Morgan Hays Tucker, and was “Gamma” to her three light-hearted grandchildren: Colette Gwendolyn Tucker, Clara Brighton Tucker, and Bennett Caldwell Tucker. Her love for her family has been vibrantly warm and encompassing, and we are so grateful that each of her babies has been able to form a special bond with her Gamma.
Anyone who knew Deb knows she was the life of the party. She brought energy and enthusiasm to whatever she pursued. She worked to bring love to everyone she touched and those closest to her were blessed and inspired to see what a giving and devoted social servant she was. For Deb, all of her endeavors in life have been linked to the common thread of helping others, and her last ministry was as an organ donor.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn, and her father, Bennett, her grandson’s namesake. Her father was a Methodist minister, and her faith was incredibly important to her, and she frequently attended services at Wrightsville Beach Methodist Church.
She is survived by her daughter Morgan, husband Andrew and their three children Colette, Clara and Bennett, sister Dee McDonald and husband Tom, brother David Hulse and his wife Lauren, and daughter Kathryn and son Kevin.
Deb is also survived by her friends Jane Dodd, Jeff and Jeanne Hovis, and Debi Causey, who were her family in Wilmington. Deb had so many cherished friends and causes and while we wish we could name them all, please know that you held a special place in her heart.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made through Ever Loved to help establish the Deb Hays Foundation whose mission is to support community projects in the greater New Hanover County area and if you have a mother please call her and tell her that you love her.
www.whqr.org
https://www.whqr.org/local/2023-03-29/memorial-tree-planting-ceremony-planned-to-honor-commissioner-deb-hays
