Mr. Roscoe Freeman Hays, 77, of Jonesboro died late Thursday evening at his home due to natural causes.

Born in Port Sulphur, Louisiana, Mr. Hays lived in Warren before moving to Jonesboro 48 years ago. He was a civil engineer and building contractor. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro where he served as deacon and a Sunday School teacher.

Mr. Hays attended Millsap College in Jackson, Miss., and was a graduate of Louisiana Tech University where he received a degree in civil engineering. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of W.W.II, and was preceded in death by his parents: Daniel L. and Georgia Greenfield Hays; and by two brothers: Alton Hays and Jack Hays.

Survivors include Mr. Hays's wife, Kathleen Benstead Hays of the home; one son, John Hays of Jonesboro; three daughters, Beth Mason of Walnut Ridge; Jean Firstbrook of Birmingham, Ala., and Dana Hays Childs of Jonesboro; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Hays, Karie Gibson, Jennifer Little, David Mason, Ben Mason, John Firstbrook, and Brandon Davison; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 11, 2003, at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro with Bruce Tippit and Marlin Gennings officiating.

Active pallbearers included Brandon Davison, David Mason, Jay Little, John Firstbrook, Ben Mason with Jay Thorpe and Chris Moore.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that consideration be given to the First Baptist Church or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis.