“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in mymother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfullymade.” – Psalm 139:13-14.

Emma Grace Hayes, born March 29, 2007, went to be with the Lordon July 20, 2007, at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville,Tenn., due to pre-surgical complications from a congenital heartdefect. Emma Grace went peacefully into God’s presence in the armsof her father and mother, Robbie and Emily Hayes of Southaven,Miss., and formerly of Madison.

Although Emma Grace faced many physical challenges during hershort life, she touched the lives of countless individuals and wasa vessel of God’s love and light to her family, friends, and allthose who cared for her. Because Emma Grace was unable to be takenhome, the special love and care she received from all who attendedher at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women, LeBonheur Children’sHospital, and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital was deeplyappreciated. Emma Grace’s family is particularly grateful to Dr.Vijaya Joshi for his care and support through many difficultdays.

Along with her parents, Emma Grace is survived by her “bigbrother” Rob Hayes, age 3; maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. BillTurner, of Malden, Mo.; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. BobbyHayes, of Liberty; great-grandmothers, Mrs. R.B. Schaffer, ofMantee, and Mrs. Harry Turner, of Lilbourn, Mo.; Uncle Kyle Turner,of St. Charles, Mo.; Aunt Susan and Uncle Dade Davis, of Watson,La., and cousins Payten Robertson, Keely Davis, Julia Davis, andReagan Davis, and many precious extended family members andfriends.

Emma Grace was welcomed into heaven by her paternalgreat-grandparents, Clyde and Julia Wilson, and Henry and DollieMae Hayes, and cousin, Mitch Moore; her maternalgreat-grandfathers, R.B. Schaffer and Harry Turner; andgreat-great-grandmother, Emma Schaffer, for whom she was named.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, July 23, 2007, from6 until 9 p.m. at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home, 1161 HighlandColony Parkway, Ridgeland. The service will be held Wednesday, July24, 2007, at 11 a.m. at Pinelake Baptist Church, 6071 Highway 25Brandon. Interment will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland.

Prior to the service, visitation will be held at 10 a.m. at thechurch. Designated memorials may be sent to LeBonheur Children’sHospital – Pediatric Cardiac Care, 50 Dunlap, Memphis, TN 38103, orCentral Mississippi Down Syndrome Society, P.O. Box 2189, Brandon,MS 39043.