Casey Hayes

Elder Casey Darnell Hayes was born December 7, 1969, to Travis and Norma Jean Hayes in Houston, TX. He was born with a twin, Carol Ann, and was the second son of the Hayes Family.

During Elder Casey’s childhood, he was an incredibly happy child. He was very outgoing and the life of the party. He always stood out because of his jovial spirit. His parents always said he would break out dancing if he heard a jukebox come on with some snazzy music. He always kept a smile and was not a stranger to anyone he met. Everyone gravitated to his bigger-than-life spirit, be it extended family members, coworkers, church members, strangers, or unknown individuals. He also grew up among many dear neighbors and childhood friends he loved.

Elder Casey was indeed a mama’s boy and loved all the attention that came with it. He was affectionately called “CaCa,” an endearing nickname given to him by his mom. He loved going on fishing trips and sports events like track meets with his dad and some of his first cousins. He loved family outings from his childhood and traveled with his family to extended families’ homes, mostly to both of his parents’ hometowns.  He loved all his siblings with perfect love. Ruby, Janice, Glenn, Carol, Travis, and Dinky were the delight of his life.

He especially shared a close-knitted bond with his twin sister Carol. He loved all his family members far and near. His mother cultivated his love for church growing up as a child. He enjoyed churching as usual regularly because his family attended church sometimes several days out of the week. Growing up, he attended many Texas State Councils and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World church conventions. He met some of his best friends who became fellow clergy together in the church. He was regularly active and put his hands to work wherever he saw fit. He was also very inquisitive as a child, which led to his love for history. He was well studied many areas of the subject of history in the natural as a student in school, which soon after shifted to his love for theology. He was also an avid scholar of biblical studies. He thoroughly knew the history of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World from the initial existence of the founding fathers to the present time.

Elder Casey played football, hung out with the band, was well-known by all his peers and classmates, and was loved by Jesse H. Jones, Class of 1988. He was befriended by many others who were from other graduating classes as well. After High School, he attended Texas Southern University in Houston, TX, receiving 60 hours/Associate in Medical Records Administration.

Elder Casey was baptized in Jesus’ name when he was a child. As he grew older, he was filled with the Holy Ghost at Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church at 3915 Kelly in Houston, TX, by the late Suffragan Bishop Clarence Stewart, Jr.  Elder Casey accepted his calling to the ministry at 19 years old. He was a very active member of Greater Emmanuel and the Texas State Council of the PAW. He became an Associate Minister to the late Suffragan Bishop Clarence Stewart, Jr, when he was the Pastor. He also served as an adjutant to Bishop Clarence Stewart, Jr. Elder Casey had many roles. He was a Sunday School teacher, a musician ( a left-handed drummer), a choir member, and an auxiliary leader over the tape ministry. He traveled faithfully to the Texas State Councils and PAW Conventions and evangelized in many places and cities.

Elder Casey was introduced to a beautiful young lady named Yvette Wafer while she was visiting with a friend at Christ Temple Church when the late Suffragan Bishop David Allen, Sr was pastor. He would always tell how he met Yvette over the pulpit. He would say, “I saw Yvette in front of the church with a yellowish gold outfit with shoes to match, and I had to meet her.” He was such a comedian when he would tell the story and say, “Blessed the womb of that woman who will have my children!” In so many words, it was love at first sight for him. After a year of long-distance engagement, Elder Casey moved to Kansas City, MO, to marry the love of his life, Yvette. They married on September 29, 2001. To this union, three beautiful children were born, Candace, “The Queen,” Kiersten, “The Duchess”; and Casey Jr., “The Prince.”

Elder Casey worked at various companies in Houston, TX, such as Brown and Root Industrial Service, International Total Sky Cap Services at Hobby Airport, and Continental Airlines. In Kansas City, MO, he worked at Pepsi Cola, UPS Freight, and the Kansas City, Missouri School District.  The “job” he served best was his “spiritual employment” as a minister in the marketplace.

Elder Casey was a humble servant. He was always the same, making you feel important no matter what. He was intelligent, innovative, and astute. He loved to study God’s word and expound on the scriptures. He loved the LORD and fellowship with the saints. He was full of faith, wisdom, and knowledge. He was a mentor to many.

Elder Casey was a licensed minister for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW), an ordained Elder for the Heart of America Council of Churches (HACC), Young People’s Vice President, 2004-2008, for the HACC formerly known as the Northwestern District Council, a great musician, a watch and pen connoisseur (an avid collector of fine timepieces and vintage pens), a casual golfer, an astute student of the scriptures, Historian of the PAW, a profound preacher and teacher, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and the most debonair dressing preacher in the PAW.

Elder Hayes was a member of Life Tabernacle Pentecostal Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. when the late District Elder Clarence Johnson II was pastor. He was appointed as one of the Assistant Pastors and served well. Under the late District Elder Clarence Johnson II’s tutelage, Elder Casey learned the business and operations of the church. In 2011, God called Elder Casey to start a church in Kansas City, MO. He served as the pastor and founder of Grace Tabernacle Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., for three years.

After dissolving Grace Tabernacle Church, Elder Casey, his wife, and children joined the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ in July 2014, where Suffragan Bishop Daniel Chavis, Jr is the Senior Pastor. Elder Casey was appointed as an Associate Pastor. Suffragan Bishop Chavis encouraged Elder Casey to make full proof of thy ministry according to 2 Timothy 4:5.

 In 2020, during the pandemic, God led Elder Casey to start the Symposium through Zoom and Facebook Live. God gave him the vision of the Symposium when battling sickness and witnessing to the hospital’s physicians, doctors, nurses, and medical technicians. God gave Elder Hayes another vision to produce a weekly broadcast ministry called Morning Motivation every Tuesday and Evening Empowerment every Thursday. His last broadcast, Reaffirming Faith through Promise (Acts 2:39), was Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Elder Casey was an Apologist and a defender of the Apostolic Faith. He was unwavering in his faith. He taught and preached several powerful sermons such as “The Blueprint of a Progressive Church” (Acts 2:42-47), “My Last Night With the Frogs” (Exodus 8:2, 12-13), and” R.S.V.P” (Luke 14). Also, he wrote an expository text/manuscript called The Apostolic Apologetic: Our Relevance in the 21st Century that will soon be published.

On September 29, 2022, Elder Casey and Lady Yvette celebrated 21 years of marriage. Elder Casey transitioned into glory to forever be with the LORD on Friday, April 21, 2023. His parents, Travis and Norma Jean Hayes, his elder sister, Janice Jackson, the oldest brother, Glenn Gibson, Sr., and nephew Brian Jackson, and mother-in-law, Helen Mae Wafer, all preceded him in death.

Elder Casey leaves to cherish his memory, life, and legacy his loving and devoted wife, Dr. Yvette Hayes; three children, Candace, Kiersten, and Casey, Jr.; four siblings: Ruby Payne (Round Rock, TX), Carol Ann Hayes (Houston, TX), Travis Demark Hayes (Houston, TX), and Cheryl Diane Hayes aka Dinky (Houston, TX). He leaves to cherish the memories a host of nieces, great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, cousins, church family, church mothers, a father-in-law, John E. Wafer, three sisters-in-law, Yolanda Denise Wafer (Milwaukee, WI), Charlette Wafer (Kansas City, MO), and Terice Wafer (Los Angeles, CA), and brother-in-law, Maurice (LaQuanda)Wafer (Antioch, CA)  and “Big Bros” Suffragan Bishop Reuben K. Johnson, Bishop Craig High,  Bishop George “Awesome” Dawson,  Reverend  Jarvis Collier, and Reverend Kim Gladney.  He honored his Godmother, Willie Lacey, two Godsisters, Waundalyn Brown and Porche Johnson, his last living Aunt, Johnnie Gibson, and former First Lady, Mother Betty Johnson. His best and special friends will forever hold a special bond with them: Pastor Brian Chambers, Bishop Wille Demerson, Dr. Steve Allen, Joseph Dorsey, Pastor Robert Thomas, Pastor Daniel Simmons, Pastor Leon O.W. Dixon, Pastor Adam Moore, Elder Leon Parker, Jr, and his barber from Houston, TX, Ronnie Coleman. He also had a special bond with all the “young people” far and near; they will forever call him “Uncle Casey!” He will be greatly missed by many.

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