Roland Harris Hayes, 82, passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, after a brief period of illness.

He was the youngest of four children born to the late Juanita Harris and John Henry Hayes, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on February 4, 1931.

Judge Hayes was a product of the local public school system and a 1948 graduate of Atkins High School. Following high school graduation, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Winston-Salem Teachers College (now, Winston-Salem State University) in 1952, and was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of North Carolina Central University, where he was awarded his Juris Doctor degree in 1971.

He was married to Barbara Spaulding in 1953 and they became the proud parents of three children and the doting grandparents to a granddaughter and six grandsons.

Before entering law school, Judge Hayes worked in commercial banking for sixteen years at Wachovia Bank and Trust Company. He began as an assistant manager at the Church Street Branch. Among the branches he managed during his career was the Wachovia branch located on the campus of Wake Forest University. During the summer months while in law school he continued to work at various branches of the bank.

Hayes began the practice of law at The Legal Aid Society, and worked as an associate in the firm of Richard C. Erwin.  Hayes opened his law office in NCNB Plaza in 1974 and was a solo practitioner until 1984.  His nephew, Billy D. Friende, Jr., practiced in his office from 1977 through 1978.     

Hayes was appointed to the North Carolina District Court by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., in 1984. This was a historical appointment as he became the first African American appointed judge in the 21st Judicial District. He was elected to successive terms and retired in 2002. Following his retirement, he was commissioned Emergency District Court Judge, which allowed him to be “on call” for any court in the district.

Judge Hayes, affectionately known as “the people’s judge,” was very committed to his community and its people, which he demonstrated through his leadership and membership in many professional, civic and social organizations.

Those affiliations included, but are not limited to: the Forsyth County, North Carolina, Winston-Salem, and American Bar Associations, North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers, North Carolina Association of District Court Judges, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, Bachelor Benedict Club, Mules, Winston-Salem State University Alumni Association, Golden Heritage Life Member of the NAACP, North Carolina Central University Law School Alumni Association, and Friends of the Library - Winston-Salem State University.

He was a lifelong member of Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church (formerly Cleveland Avenue Christian Church). He was an Elder, former Sunday School teacher and Chairman of the Official Board of the Church. As Elder Emeritus, he was a role model and father figure for many in the congregation.

The Honorable Roland Harris Hayes is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara; three children, Roland, Jr., John and Reba; a son-in-law, William Rodman Warren; seven grandchildren, Roland III, Roddy, Reid, Raines, Sly, D’Jay, and Tigra; two sisters, Velma H. Friende and Jacqueline H. Harris (Robert); a brother, Clyde H. Hayes (Evolia); a sister-in-law, Gloria S. Hill; a brother-in-law, Reginald F. Spaulding; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, 5095 Lansing Drive. A private ceremony of interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 14, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the church. Public viewing at the funeral home will be on Thursday, February 14, 2013 from 12:00 noon until 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church Hayes Scholarship Fund, Kids For Christ (KFC)-First Baptist Church (Highland Avenue), Winston-Salem State University Friends of the Library (O’Kelly Library) or to the donor’s choice.

For copy of the funeral program, click here