Chrisalene "Chrissy" Hayes

Chrisalene Hayes was born on November 28, 1942, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to O.D. Darrington and Alene (Hudson) Darrington. She passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

Chrisalene grew up in Chickasha, Oklahoma, where she attended Lincoln School for most of her academic career before graduating from Chickasha High School. She attended Langston College in Langston, Oklahoma, graduating with a certificate in Cosmetology.

Chrisalene and Roland Hayes were married on June 14, 1969, in Chickasha, Oklahoma. They remained united in marriage for 55 years, until her death.

Chrisalene was employed as a hairdresser in Chickasha, Oklahoma. After she and her husband moved to Fort Worth, Texas, she worked at General Dynamics. Upon becoming a mother Chrisalene focused her time and talents on training her children in the way that they should go. A champion for their education, she took a job at the elementary school they attended so that she could continue to watch over and encourage them in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. She took pride in being the biggest cheerleader in her children’s lives, a role she relished. Most importantly to Chrisalene, she planted and carefully tended seeds of faith in each of her children. It is this faith that they lean on heavily at this time.

Chrisalene gloried in her family and her happiest moments were in their presence. From childhood summers in Blanchard with her grandparents and her cousins to summers in Chickasha with her parents and her own children, nieces, and nephews, Chrisalene delighted in it all. She nurtured everyone in her family as if each person was her child, attending every birthday celebration, graduation, wedding, and reunion that she possibly could. She especially cherished Thanksgiving and Christmas because they brought the family together in great numbers. She was ecstatic to welcome her grandchildren into the world and doted on each of them with all of the joy her heart could hold. Her generous love and care were legendary and extended to everyone connected to her by blood or by blessing. A talented seamstress, crocheter, and an avid gardener, it was an honor to receive one of Chrisalene’s creations she so freely gave “just because.”

Chrisalene was baptized as a small child at New Hope Baptist Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma, where she went on to teach children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, sing in the choir, and serve as Choir Director. After moving to Austin, Texas, and joining Ebenezer Baptist Church she was extremely active in any ministries her children participated in, as well as ministries that fed her own soul through the act of service. Until her health prevented it, Chrisalene most recently served with Mission II, Circle 12, the Ushers, and the Deaconesses.

Chrisalene was preceded in death by her parents, Alene and O.D. Darrington; her brother, James Walter Darrington; and a host of aunts and uncles that we believe are now joyfully welcoming her home. 

Of special note is her Aunt Camille Hudson, formerly of Purcell, Oklahoma. As a young girl Chrisalene spent a year with her Aunt Camille to provide comfort after the passing of their grandmother and mother respectively, and we have no doubt that Aunt Camille is also part of the happy reunion now taking place.

Chrisalene’s survivors include her husband, Roland Hayes of the home; her sisters, Crystal Ramirez, and Dr. Nina Jones of Tulsa, Oklahoma; her brothers, Henry (Aline), and Richard (Patti) Darrington, all of Bastrop, Texas; her daughters Rochelle Hayes (Christopher Hale) of Durham, North Carolina, Rashandra Hayes (Darrick Norton) of Kyle, Texas, and Reneka Hayes (Fred Anderson) of Rosharon Texas; her son Rashard Hayes of the home; four grandchildren; five nieces and nephews; five great nieces and great nephews; as well as a host of extended family and friends. 

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