Carolyn Hayes Cooper

Carolyn Hayes Cooper, of Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly on Friday, September 4, 2009, at her residence.

Born in Wise, Virginia on May 9, 1948, a daughter of the late James Junior and Alda Fugate Dingus, she had resided in this area most of her life.

Carolyn was a dedicated employee of Comprehensive Community Services CCS for the last 15 years.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Joyce Hubbard and Brenda Henson. Linda would also like to extend a special thanks to Vanessa Scott, Stuart Sigrest, Marty Hyatt, and all of her co-workers at CCS.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by one brother, Jimmy Dingus, and by two sisters, Helen Flanry and Margaret Wilmouth.

Survivors include her son, Tony Hayes of Blountville; daughter and best friend, Linda Thomas and husband David of Blountville; four grandchildren, Chase Hayes, Kala Hayes, Cody Hayes, and Nikki Whitaker; two great-grandchildren, Brason Hayes and Caden Hayes; brother, Ralph "Buddy" Dingus and wife Frances of Blountville; sister, Jurline Hutchins and husband John of Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport. Services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel with Pastor Tracy Dingus and Pastor Steve Dingus officiating. Special music will be provided by Larry Weatherly and Sammy Brooks. Burial will follow the service at East Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be David Thomas, Cody Hayes, Chase Hayes, Steve Dingus, Tracy Dingus, and Mike Hayes. Honorary pallbearers will be Nikki Whitaker, Kala Hayes, Fred Proffitt, Marty Hyatt, Barry Bowers, and Bert Hayes.