Lora Gallegos-Haynes, 63, of Hays passed away Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in Hays. She was born June 19, 1959, in Denver.
On Aug. 16, 1986, she married Thomas J. Haynes in Denver.
Lora has been a Spanish teacher at Hays High for more than 20 years. Her involvement and passion for her students, church family and the community are widespread.
She was responsible for starting the Hays International Travel Club, which allowed her and her students to travel internationally. Fundraising helped with the travel expenses. Up to two years of countless fundraising could include working concessions, wreath sales, bingo, bake sales and pizza sales.
Lora and her husband, Thomas, started up and operated Lomato’s Pizza in Hays, which is named after the first two letters of Lora, Marie,and Tom’s names.
Traveling was truly a passion for Lora and amazingly she and Tom had traveled to all 50 states, the lower 48 states by motorcycle. She also enjoyed crafting and crocheting. She was a member of the New Life Center Assembly of God Church in Hays and the NEA.
Lora was a caring soul who was a caregiver to so many. She was an adored teacher, friend and adopted “Grandma” to countless students and people in the community.
Lora is survived by her mother and father, Priscilla and Morris Branch of Bennett, Colo.; husband, Tom of Hays; her daughter, Marie Haynes of Overland Park; stepsons, Tim Haynes of Bison, Kan., and Terry Haynes of Hays; siblings, Morris Branch Jr. of Aurora, Colo., Luana Branch of Bennett, Colo., Larry Branch of Denver, Frank Madrid of Visalia, Calif., and Rebecca Hill of Broomfield, Colo.; seven grandchildren, Talia, Elon, Jazmine, Harley, Kiran, Terrence II, and Juliet as well as eight great-grandchildren, Oliver, Ronan, Tyler, Brooklyn, Razariah, Reviahna, Daunte and Aries.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lorenza and Eloy Gallegos and her siblings, Chana, Larry, Lupe and Lydia.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at Celebration Community Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to be made payable to New Life Center to be used according to the wishes of the family designated at a later date.
Arrangements in care of Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.
Condolences may be shared by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com