Portrait of Judith Hayes. IMB Photo

Judith Hayes, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Mexico, died Jan. 27, 2026, in San Deigo, California. She was 83. 

Judy was born Oct. 22, 1942, in Palestine, Texas, to the late Howard M. Endel and Faye Jackson Endel. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, Texas, and received the Bachelor of Science from Howard Payne College (now University), Brownwood, Texas.  

She married Bill Hayes on May 31, 1963. That fall, they both entered Howard Payne. Bill pastored two different churches while they were there, and Judy worked on campus as a secretary for several professors. After graduation in May 1965, they moved to Fort Worth. Bill entered seminary and began the first of several pastorates. In 1970, Judy began teaching in a reading program for migrant children.  

While seeking missionary appointment, Judy wrote, “It is hard for me to put an exact date on when I first knew that God wanted me to be a missionary. It started when I gave my life for special service. Then when we married, Bill told me that he felt he might want to work with Mexican people someday as a missionary, so that has always been in our minds.” 

In 1974, the International Mission Board appointed Bill and Judy missionaries to Mexico, where they faithfully served for more than 30 years.  

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Hayes.  

She is survived by her children, David Hayes (Laurie), Julie Mora (Jose Luis), and Jimmy Hayes (Angie), and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

A committal service was held Feb. 14 at R.S. Farmer Memorial Cemetery in Silsbee, Texas. 

Donations in her memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity.  

Read an obituary here.