Evelyn Ruth "Ebby" Hays, 89, of Leonardtown, MD, died Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at Hospice House of St. Mary's of Callaway, MD. She was born on May 27, 1926 in Leonardtown, MD to the late Michael J. Hill and Bertie Viola Knipple.

Ebby was employed as a dedicated administrative assistant for the Washington D.C. municipal government until her retirement.

She was a trend setter and the first to introduce pierced earrings to her family, and pierced many of her niece's ears. She had a flair for fashion and interior design. She was always impeccably dressed and accessorized. She was artistic and her talent was reflected in her painting, antiquing of furniture, crafting and camping. She loved dancing and was a member of the "Country Steppers." She was a seamstress and made many pieces of clothes, curtains, and bedspreads. Her other hobbies included crocheting, embroidery, Bingo, Keno, and playing cards, especially Texas Hold'em and Gin. Her family was her greatest love and she enjoyed spending time with them.

Ebby is survived by her loving companion, Thomas M. Wheatley of Leonardtown, MD; her grandson, Justin Hays (Shawna) of Fayetteville, NC; her great grandchildren, Preston Hays, Mackenzie Hays, Kayla Hays, Amanda Rankin, Bryan Sangkavasi, Emily Prevas, and Scott Sangkavasi; her nieces, Lorraine Percell of Compton, MD, Stacey Lynn Alvey (Billy) of Mechanicsville, MD, Patty Muchow (Dan) of Leonardtown, MD, and Sandy Wathen Reece (Robbie) of Mechanicsville, MD; her daughter-in-law, Dee Dee Rankin; her step-daughter, Elaine Dye (Tom) of Allentown, PA; and many great nieces, great nephews, cousins and extended family. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, John Franklin Hays, her son, Wayne Preston Hays; her siblings, Winifred Gateau, Lorraine Robertson, Cloyde Hill, Vernon Hill, and Bobby Hill; and her niece, Sherry Resico.

Family will receive friends for Ebby's Life Celebration on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with prayers at 7:00 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend David Beaubien on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment will be at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD at 1:45 p.m. Serving as pallbearers will be Billy Alvey, Jr., Robert Resico, Justin Hays, Bill Rankin, Shaun Resico and Bill Alvey, Sr. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.