Meredith Johnson Hayes

Meredith Johnson Hayes, of Atlanta, Georgia , died  on Wednesday, May 31st, 2023, after a brief illness. The cherished only child of Harvey Williams Johnson and Meredith Price Johnson, she was born on June 14, 1944 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Meredith attended Spartanburg schools and graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1962. She graduated with a degree in political science from Converse College in 1966.

Descending from a strong lineage of attorneys, she then attended and graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1969, one of only two women to do so that year. She subsequently practiced law at the Federal Power Commission in Washington, DC and for the Sea Pines Company in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. 

Meredith opened a gourmet cookware and gift shop at Harbour Town in Sea Pines in 1976 with fellow Spartanburg native, Mary Chapman Webster. Several years later, she moved to Atlanta with her beloved Cairn terrier, Mrs. Jenkins. In Atlanta, she worked for Yves St. Laurent, Richter’s Estate Jewelers, and founded a custom pearl business. 

Meredith is survived by her daughter, Ashley (Damien); her three beloved grandchildren, William, Robbie, and Meredith Grattan-Smith; long time companion, Fred Gray; and her granddog, Otto. She also leaves behind several cherished Johnson family cousins. 

Meredith’s great joy in life was her grandchildren. She rarely missed any event in which they were involved.  She enjoyed every sporting competition and recital to the fullest. She also went on many great adventures with her grandchildren, including jet skiing, bungee jumping, and other high risk activities in which their parents refused to participate. 

She also had a lifelong love of animals, in particular dogs and farm animals. Over time, several of her daughter’s dogs moved to Meredith’s house to enjoy a higher standard of living. 

Meredith was a member of the South Carolina State Bar and the Assembly in Spartanburg. 

The Reverend Nicholas M. Beasley will officiate at the graveside service at Oakwood Cemetery, 184 Oakwood Avenue, Spartanburg, SC 29302, on Friday, June 9th 2023 at 11 AM. 

In remembrance of Meredith, the family requests that memorial donations be made to any animal charity or the charity of your choice.