Antonia Ruth “Toni” Hayes (nee Morelos) of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 27, 2026, at the age of 98. She leaves behind a rich legacy of love, joy, unbreakable resilience, and deep community connection.

Toni was born August 25, 1927, the fifth of seven children born to Michael and Josephine Morelos. Her father, a native of Mexico, worked for many years maintaining the state railway of Kansas and the Missouri Pacific Railroad, while her mother, who hailed from Texas, was a homemaker. Toni was born in the family home, which at the time was a converted railroad car on the Missouri Pacific line in Kansas. The family eventually settled in a home Ottawa, Kansas.

During World War II, the seven Morelos siblings relocated to Chicago, their dad and mom having died in 1935 and 1937 respectively.  

Shortly after moving to Chicago, Toni had to leave high school to go to work to help the family financially.  Years later, after having children of her own, Toni proudly continued her education at Englewood high school on Chicago’s south side.

In the 1960s, Toni, her husband, and her three children moved to St. Louis.  For ten years, until 1975, she was the sole owner and operator of a vinyl record store in Alton, Illinois.  She later worked at Laclede Cab Co. and Washington University, both in positions where she was able to interact with the public, which she so enjoyed doing.  

For over 50 years, Toni served as a dedicated, active member of St. Louis’s Delmar Baptist Church, today known as Dayspring Baptist Church in Town & Country, Missouri.  From the late ’90s to the mid 2000s, Toni served as either president, vice-president, or advisor on Crown Center’s resident council.  She also enjoyed her volunteer work greeting visitors with a warm smile at the Crown Center front desk.

Toni is now reunited in heaven with her beloved parents, Michael and Josephine Morelos; her cherished son, Ernest Jr. (“Butch”); and her siblings who went before her: Isabel, Clara, Mike, Hazel, Nadine, and Carol.

Toni’s legacy lives on through her daughters, Michelle Margo and Tanya (Nathan); her three grandchildren who knew her affectionately as “Abuela,”  Courtney (Todd), Mikki (Angelo) and Stacy; nine great-grandchildren, Shane (Alondra), Eva, Nick (Danielle), Dallas, Kyra, Kennedy, Roman, Jaden, and Laila, and four great-great-grandchildren, Bentley, Quincy, Shane, Jr., and Sofia. She is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews, and a vast circle of chosen family,

A memorial service will be held at Dayspring Baptist Church, 1001 Municipal Center Dr., 63131, on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Visitation: 10am

Service: 11am

No graveside service, as body was donated to Washington University Medical School.