OBITUARY: Mary Sue Hayden

Mary Sue Hayden, of Rockingham, was born June 23, 1937 to the late James and Sally Burr. She went to her eternal home on Sept. 15, 2024.

Mary Sue was a woman of faith and prayed every day for her family, the sick and the lost. She lived her life by the word and her dearest love was her lord and savior, Jesus Christ. She witnessed to others, was a former Sunday school teacher, held prayer meetings and bible study groups in her own living room to spread the word and love of Christ to others. She raised her girls in church and her grandchildren have memories of traveling all over N.C. to tent revivals and camp meetings.

Mary Sue was a former nurse who found her calling in life in her love for children. She left her nursing career to open an in-home day care center and through the years cared for and loved many children as her own. Her home was always open, and she was always there for her family in the good and bad times. She lived by “judge not” and loved unconditionally. Many share, they do not know where they would be today with her compassion and prayers.

Mary Sue, Mother, Sue Boo, Granny Sue, or Sue as she was called by those who loved her have many fond memories of their beloved angel. We all can find comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her husband, Chester Robert Hayden, and her eldest daughter, Cathy Hayden Batton, in Heaven.

Mary Sue is survived by her sister, Betty Bigelow of Wisconsin; her children, Jenny Hayden Cowick (Lewis), Debbie Hayden Chavis (Ervin) and Sally Joyce Hayden. She was blessed with five grandchildren who were like her own children: April Cowick Cline (Brian), Amy Bruce Locklear (Matthew) Phillip Robert Kinsey, Donna Cowick Jacobs (Allen) and Lisa Cowick Gil (Aramiz). She was also blessed with 14 great-grandchildren: Hayden Self (Bri), Kelsey Turner (Byron) Mary Turner Watson, Ryan and Cate Kinsey, Marissa, Noleigh and Evelyn Locklear, Riley and Luke Jacobs, Noah, Kingston, Liam and Annalise Gil; and one great-great-grandson, Kaiden Williams.

There will be a graveside service, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024 at Eastside Cemetery.

Our family is forever grateful to the staff and compassion of Richmond County Hospice. We would like to extend a special thank you to Cindy and Sybil (Hospice staff). In lieu of flowers, please donate to Richmond County Hospice in honor of Mary Sue Hayden.