South Bend Barber celebrates retirement after 59 years

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- After nearly six decades in the barbering profession and 25 years at Cutrageous Barbershop, Cheryl Hayes spent her final day behind the chair surrounded by the community she helped shape.

Friends, family and longtime clients gathered Saturday at Cutrageous to celebrate Hayes' retirement and honor the relationships she built throughout her career.

"She was working at a local shop that I came in as a youngster, and she kind of helped me along the way," said Otis Davis, known by many as "O.D.," owner of Cutrageous. "The guy that we were working for decided he was going to retire, so in his retirement I decided to get my own shop."

Hayes said she was unsure whether she should leave her previous shop when Davis decided to open Cutrageous.

"I asked God, 'Show me some signs' if I need to stay or if I need to leave, and He did.” Hayes said.

That decision helped launch what many describe as a family atmosphere at the South Bend barbershop.

After 59 years in the business, Hayes said she is ready to spend more time with her children and grandchildren.

"I have grandkids and children in Indianapolis. I'll try to spend a little more time with them," she said.

Although she is retiring from barbering, Hayes said she does not plan to leave behind the community that has supported her for decades.

"They'll be tired of me," Hayes joked. "They'll say, 'I thought you didn't work here anymore.'"

Saturday's celebration included food, cake and a surprise performance of "Wind Beneath My Wings," a song Hayes said held special meaning because she used to sing it to her mother before she died.