Hays Brannon Castle

Hays Brannon Castle (88), of Laurel, MS passed away January 6, 2015, at 10:30 p.m. in the VA Nursing Home in Collins, MS. He was born in Eupora, MS on May 21, 1926. Hays was a combat veteran of WWII, serving the Marine Corp in Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan. After the war, Hays settled in Laurel, MS where he started his own consumer finance business in early 1963. In the 80’s, he opened and operated Castle Investments. Mr. Castle not only served his country but his community as well. He was one of the planners of the Diamond Jubilee in Laurel. He was extremely active with Laurel Junior Chamber of Commerce serving in leadership rolls on a local and national level. Mr. Castle was part of the planning and development of the Wooten Field located in Laurel. Mr. Castle was a Master Mason of the Masonic Lodge #414 in Laurel and a member of the Hamasa Shrine of Meridian, MS. He was on the Laurel Fair Board for many years. Mr. Castle served in all leadership capacities of the Mississippi Consumer Finance Association from 1958-1980. He was instrumental in the development of the State Law that regulated the Consumer Finance Industry and later the Mississippi Pawnbrokers Act. Mr. Castle also served on the National Pawnbrokers Association Board of Directors. He was named Mississippi Pawnbroker of the Year in 2003. Mr. Castle is survived by three brothers; Charles Hilmon Castle of Salt Lake City, Utah, Deral Gray Castle of Houston, Texas; and Harroll Dean Castle of Sandestin, Florida; his wife of 56 years, Patty Sue Hartzog Castle and their three children, fifteen grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. His children are Penelope Castle Rambin and husband Merritt Alan Rambin of Hattiesburg, MS; Patricia Castle Smith and husband Thomas Eugene Smith of Hattiesburg, MS; and Hays Brannon Castle, II of Denver, Colorado. Grandchildren include: Morgan Stone Samuels and husband Scott Aaron Samuels of Jackson, MS; Laurel Smith Davis and husband Daniel Alexander Davis; Austin Nowell Smith and wife Jessica White Smith; Caleb Bowen Smith and wife Bailey Davis Smith; and Stephanie Anne Stone all of Hattiesburg, MS; Miranda Keaton Castle of Denver, Colorado; Hays Delashman Castle of Littleton Colorado; Bowen Castle of Littleton, Colorado; four step-grandchildren, Shanna Rambin Brit and husband Benjamin Samuel Brit of Petal, MS and Corey Lee Rambin of Hattiesburg, MS; and great grandchildren: Riley, Addison, Hays, Hayden, Carter, Kate, Caroline, and Isabella. Pallbearers will be Bowen Castle, Hays Castle, Caleb Smith, Austin Smith, Alex Davis, Aaron Samuels, Ben Brit, Corey Rambin and Clay Lott. Honorary pallbearers will be Morgan Samuels, Stephanie Stone, Shanna Brit, Jessica Smith, Bailey Smith, and Laurel Davis. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015, at Memory Chapel. The graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. Saturday, at Calvary Cemetery in Silver Creek, MS. Dr. Randall Turner will officiate. To view and sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Hays Brannon Castle

May 21, 1926 - January 6, 2015