Jimmye Dobbs Hays

Jimmye Hays Jimmye Dobbs Hays of Waco, widely known educator in the area of children’s reading, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at a local hospital. At her request, no services will be held. She will be buried in San Antonio. Mrs. Hays was born March 2, 1927, in Lufkin, Texas, to James L. and Vivian Johnson Dobbs. She was married to Preston Hays. She received a bachelor of science in sociology from Sam Houston State University, a master of education from the University of Houston, and completed additional graduate studies at Texas Women’s University, Texas A&M and Southwest Texas State University. Mrs. Hays taught in several Texas public schools before holding appointments in the Departments of Education at the University of Houston and Southern Methodist University. Moving to Waco in 1967, she served for many years as a consultant for Region 12 Education Service Center, assisting school districts and many individual teachers throughout Central Texas in curriculum development and teaching methods. She has authored books and scholarly articles and developed curriculum materials widely used throughout the nation. She was active in professional organizations such as the Texas Association for the Improvement of Reading and the Texas State Council of the International Reading Association, serving as president of both state organizations. At the national level of the International Reading Association, she held offices and committee appointments and wrote for the organization’s journals. She was instrumental in assisting the Texas Education Agency in developing the Reading Specialist Certificate, a master’s level program for teachers. She was a pioneer in the development of methods and materials for children’s reading, both in the area of special needs as well as gifted and talented. She was a renowned educator whose distinguished career spanned several decades of outstanding achievement. She believed in education as the fundamental means to create a better society and devoted her professional life to serving that cause. She will also be remembered as a cherished and devoted mother, sister, friend, the relationships she valued most. She was preceded in death by her husband on Oct. 11, 2000. She is survived by her son, Mark Hays and wife, Victoria Hays of Copperas Cove; and sister, Vivian Lynn Dobbs of Waco. Because of her compassion in assisting homeless animals, it is suggested that those wishing to make memorials send donations to Fuzzy Friends Rescue, 6321 Airport Drive, Waco, TX 76708, 254 754-9444.