Carol Dee Hays

Carol Dee Hays, 78, of Blue Springs, Missouri, passed away on March 10, 2026. Born on January 27, 1948, in Manchester, Iowa, she was the daughter of Beryl and Elizabeth McConnell of Bowling Green, Missouri. Carol spent her early years in Iowa before her family moved to the Kansas City area in 1964. She graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1966. In 1969, the family relocated to Bowling Green, Missouri, where she later met her husband, Richard (Rick) Hays of Vandalia, Missouri. They married on April 18, 1977, and settled in Blue Springs, where they raised their three children, Jennifer, Rikki, and Ryan.

Carol enjoyed a long career as a Commercial Loan Officer at Commerce Bank for nearly 30 years before joining First American Title, from which she retired in 2020. While working full time and raising her family, she also earned an Associate’s Degree from a local community college. An avid reader with a deep love of history, she was a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs season ticket holder who rarely missed a game. She and Rick spent many happy hours at their farm in Brookfield, Missouri. In the last 20 years, Carol traveled extensively, visiting every continent except Antarctica.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Beryl Edward McConnell and Emily Elizabeth Winter McConnell of Bowling Green, Missouri; her father-in-law, Billy Joe Hays of Vandalia, Missouri; and her granddaughter, Dallas Lynn Frisbey of Independence, Missouri.

Carol is survived by her husband, Richard Hays of Blue Springs; her daughter Jennifer Frisbey of Independence; her daughter Rikki Hays Clawson (David) of Blue Springs; her son Ryan Hays (Barbara) of Blue Springs; nine grandchildren, Preston Frisbey (Madison), Kaitlyn Frisbey (Paulina), Tanner Frisbey, Alex Schultz (Ian), Seth Hammond (Abigail), Regan Hays, Reece Hays, ScottLyn Clawson, and Emilee Ann Clawson; one great-grandson, Maverick; her sister Sherry Halfast (Richard) of Lee’s Summit; her brother Dave McConnell (Beverly) of Florida; her mother-in-law Betty Hays of Vandalia; and many beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. She will be remembered for her strength, curiosity, and deep devotion to her family.