It is with profound sadness that the Hayes family announces the passing of Freida Renee Hayes on June 24, 2026, after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm on June 10.

Freida was the third of six children, born on September 24, 1959, to the late Floyd and Marjorie Hayes. She graduated from Lumberton Senior High School in 1977, after which she attended Wingate University. She was employed for many years with Robeson Insurance Agency. A natural athlete in her youth, Freida was fearless on the softball field, was a Lumberton High School Lettergirl, and rode her unicycle with the greatest of ease. She was an avid Keith Urban fan and attended countless of his concerts. She was a proud vegan for many years and an unabashed conservative. While she did not actively participate in organized church worship, she was a person of deep faith.

Freida led a simple life, unencumbered by the need for material gain. She was humble and avoided recognition and praise. She believed God had entrusted her with the care of His forgotten creatures and she tenaciously accepted that calling. For many years, she quietly and faithfully tended to dozens of feral cats in multiple colonies around Lumberton. She knew every cat and mourned for each one who died.

Freida's value in this world has been overlooked by many. She once wrote, "It would be nice to know that someday my efforts were worth something. " Yes Freida, they were. It is now time for your reward.

Freida's surviving siblings are her brother, Floyd Hayes, and sisters, Melodi Hayes, Stephanie Jarvis (Reed), and Luanne Lasnier (Ken). Her brother Duane died in 2015. She is also survived by her nephew, Matthew Hayes (Julia), great-nephew, Henry Hayes, and niece, Lindsey Glover.

The family is forever grateful to the staff in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC, who cared for Freida with professionalism and kindness.

Freida's family members will not be in Lumberton to receive visitors in her home. For those who wish to provide food or flowers for the family, we request that you instead consider purchasing and delivering cat food to Robeson County Humane Society, as that organization has assumed the care and feeding of Freida's feral cats. The address is 3180 W. Fifth Street, Lumberton, NC 28358.

For those who wish to make monetary gifts in Freida's memory, the family requests donations to Robeson County Humane Society, at PO Box 3609, Lumberton, NC 28359, and/or Franny's Friends, an animal rescue and adoption organization, at 2124 Regan Church Road, Lumberton NC 28358.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Floyd Memorial Chapel, 809 E. 5th Street in Lumberton, NC. Freida will be privately laid to rest in September, on what would be her 67th birthday.