DOROTHY CUSTER HAYS, 101, passed away on August 17, 2016 at the Roane General Hospital. The heavens welcomed a true angel and she is at peace now. She was a lifelong resident of Spencer and was the only child of Ada and Audra Johnson and gave them great pride and joy when she was born on January 11, 1915. She was a graduate of Spencer High School. Dorothy was married to Charles Custer and they made their home in Spencer. Charles was employed at the Spencer Post Office where he later retired with many years of service. Dorothy's first job was at the G.C. Murphy Company-she loved the candy counter and never lost her taste for the sweets. She worked at Hays and Company, which was founded in 1946, for 44 years during her marriage to Charles and continued to work there after his passing. She later married Bernard R. Hays, founder of Hays and Company, and lived a happy and love filled life until his death in 2000. Mrs. Hays was a life time member of the Wetzel Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star and a life long member of the St. John's United Methodist Church. She is survived by a nephew of her first husband, Mike and his wife Lois; and cousins Elisabeth Johnson, Carolyn Sue and Ulla Sue Sholes. Dorothy is also survived by her niece, Carol Anne Moore, with whom she had shared a home with for the late 15 years; Carol Anne's son, Michael and his wife Michelle and daughters Molly and Zoe of Oceana, WV; and Carol Anne's daughter, Lori and her husband Mike and children Micah Anne and Tanner of Clendenin, WV. It has to be noted that Dorothy and Tanner had a special relationship. When they would come to visit, Tanner and Dorothy would go to the kitchen table and talk about the news or whatever Tanner was studying in school, always something educational. The rest of us would sit in the living room and listen to them. Such special times. When taking her picture after getting her hair cut the last week of her life, she said, "Make sure Tanner sees it." She loved them all but the two of them together were special. This family was the children and grandchildren she never had. She was very proud of them and loved them very much. She is also survived by Bernard's nephews, Ross Hays, Jr. of Tampa Florida and Robert (Butch) Hays of Hartsville, South Carolina and niece Barbara Henderson of Ashburn, Virginia, their spouses and their children and grandchildren. A special thanks to Peggy Schreckengost for her years of caring for Aunt Dorothy. They had a a special bond and friendship. Also, thanks to Lisa Cochran for stepping up and helping Peggy and Carol Anne with the caregiving the last few months. The family would like to thank the staff of Roane General Hospital for continuing to spoil her and a special thank you to Dee Stonestreet and Anna Chandler for befriending her during her stay at Roane General. Her face would light up when her new friends would come to the dinner table. Their love and friendship made her stay so much easier. She loved them dearly. A service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at the Taylor-Vandale Funeral Home in Spencer with George Chandler officiating. Burial will follow in the Eventide Cemetery in Spencer. Visiting will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Roane County and/or Clendenin libraries, or a charity of your choice.