On Tuesday morning August 22, 2017 the God of Mercy came to claim His own, Sister Mattie Lee Stewart Hayes at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Mattie was born on May 8, 1949 in St. George, South Carolina. She was the eldest daughter of the late Willie and Queenie Stewart.
Mattie received her education from Williams Memorial High School and New York City Public Schools.

In 1970 Mattie married the late Wilbert Hayes. To this union, they were blessed with three loving sons. Mattie was also a mother figure to her younger siblings and a grandmother to her nieces and nephews.

Mattie was a member of Morning Dew Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. She retired from the Institute of Community Living after 27 years of service.

Mattie was the matriarch of her family. She loved entertaining family and friends during the holidays. During this time family reflections and life's enjoyable moments were shared. She also loved talking to her love ones on the telephone for hours at a time.

She leaves to cherish her memories: three sons, Tyrone (Stephanie) Hayes, Damien Hayes and Terrence Hayes all of Brooklyn, NY; three sisters, Queenie Stewart, Geneva Highland and Sharon Stewart all of Brooklyn, NY; one brother, Johnny Stewart of Grover, SC; three sisters-in-law, Evelyn Smith of Dorchester, SC, Bernadette Hayes of St. George, SC and Darlene Hayes of Atlanta, GA; one brother-in-law, Johnny C. (Marilyn) Hayes of Dallas, TX; five aunts, Dorothy Martin of Jamaica, NY, Lottie Carlise of Louisville, KY, Mary Chin of Goose Creek, SC, Ollia Anderson of Brooklyn, NY, and Mable Stewart of Reevesville, SC; one uncle, Joseph Stewart of St. George, SC; seven nephews, Brian Williams, Tyrell Ford, Lamont Smith, Johnathan Hayes, Anthony Smith, Jr., Sergio Smith and Brandon Smith; two nieces, Alicia Highland and Pamela Smith; one godson, Jaquan Oden; a host of other relatives and friends.