Omer Thomas Hays and Lenna Jessie Watson Hays

Omer Thomas Hays and Lenna Jessie Watson were married in Amity on September 17, 1914.  He was 22, she was 19.

Omer was the son of William Curtis Hays and Texanna Thompson.  Some family researchers list his name as Thomas Omer, but on his World War I Registration Card, he signed his own name as Omer Thomas Hays.

Lennie Jessie Watson was the daughter of William Walker Watson and Mary Louise Fincher.  (W.W. Watson has been previously featured on this site.)

Omer and Lenna Hays' children: Mary Alice, William C. "Bill", Evelyn J., George T., Ralph M., Elizabeth W., Ann and Sue.

Evelyn Hays married Jack Kirksey, and is remembered by many in Amity for being a long-time teacher and principal at the Amity Elementary School.



William Curtis Hays, (at left), organized The Bank of Amity, which was incorporated on November 30, 1905.  Hays also served as the Bank's President.  W.C. Hays was born in Arkansas in 1856 and moved to Amity in 1869. He was engaged in the mercantile business for sixty-three years. As a champion of education, Hays founded the old Amity Academy which was organized in 1892. He twice served as delegate to the General World Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a charter member of Amity Masonic Lodge. Hays was considered a philanthropist and a promoter of civic organizations in the community.