MERIDIAN —



    Services for Jessie Lee Hayden Sr. will be held Friday, at 10 a.m., at Anderson Temple Church of God in Christ, 1520 29th Avenue, Meridian. Berry and Gardner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

    Mr. Hayden, 83, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at Rush Foundation. He attended elementary school in Pachuta, and received his high school diploma from Shirley Owen High School. Mr. Hayden was drafted into the U.S. Army and served his country for six years during the Korean Conflict and after his tour of duty, received and honorable discharge. Following his discharge, he enrolled at T. J. Harris Jr. College where he received an associate of arts degree. Later he completed a course in plumbing and steam fitting at Alcorn State University. Mr. Hayden possessed a sincere desire to help young people achieve their maximum potentials in education. This motivated him to enroll in a Teacher Education Program at Mississippi Valley State University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1967. He further studied at Southern University in Houston, Texas, and Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. Mr. Hayden was employed at Middleton High School and after integration, he taught math at Northeast School, Lauderdale, until his retirement in May 1991.

    He was a member of El Bethel Baptist Church and later united with New Olivett Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Dr. M.C. Thompson, where he was a devoted member and served as church treasurer. He was also a proud member of the Governor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, representing the State-at-Large.

    He was happily married to the love of his life, Dr. Vera Brooks for 54 years.

    Survivors include two sons: Jessie Hayden Jr. of Lorman, and Derwin Hayden of Meridian; one daughter, Dr. Wanda Burkes of Baton Rouge, La.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his mother, Edna Dear.

    Visitation will be today, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the funeral home.