Biography
Joel S. Hays was born June 13, 1918, in Poplar Bluff, a son of Paul C. and Buena Vista Hays. He married Letha Montgomery on February 20, 1947, and that year opened The Record Shop on the mezzanine of Fuller's Jewelry on South Main Street. An accomplished pianist, Joel reportedly performed in 47 of the then-48 states. After injuries from a 1955 automobile accident prevented him from continuing at his earlier location, Joel and Letha opened Hays Music Store at 313 Vine Street in 1957.
Hays Music became a longtime downtown Poplar Bluff business and continued after Joel's death on May 22, 1982, at age 63. Joel was also a member of First Baptist Church, the Poplar Bluff Artists' Guild, and was identified in his obituary as a charter member and founder of the Poplar Bluff Alcoholics Anonymous chapter. His children included Gregory Alan Hays and Luana Beth Hays. A 1935 Bluff yearbook in the Historic Poplar Bluff collection originally belonged to Joel.
Details
- Spouse
- Letha Montgomery Hays (m. February 20, 1947)
- Occupation
- Music-store owner; professional pianist
- Employer
- The Record Shop; Hays Music Store
- Church
- First Baptist Church
- Birth Year
- c. 1918
- Address
- 1506 Rosedale Lane, Poplar Bluff
- Birth Place
- Poplar Bluff, Missouri
Birth year is estimated from the yearbook class level, not a recorded fact.
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Extracted From
Hays Music Store
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