Surrounded by her loving family, Shirley Jean Stevens Hayden went to her heavenly home peacefully on September 12, 2023, at the age of 92. The youngest of seven children, Shirley was born in Amite, Louisiana on December 12, 1930. In 1949, she married Roy Hayden and together they raised three boys.

Mamaw, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, was quite a character that had a sense of dry humor and kept us laughing, even until the end of her time here. She was happiest when she was amidst kinfolk, working in the yard, having daily coffee at 2:00 with her family, and spending time in the kitchen listening to the Statler Brothers' hymns. As a young lady, she worked in the office at Hood Automotive until she had children. She then spent several long years rearing three rambunctious boys on "The Hill" on Chicken Farm Road and taking care of Papaw and her home.  Once their boys were grown, she and Papaw enjoyed traveling to the Smoky Mountains with her sisters and their husbands. Her sisters were her best friends and they talked daily and went shopping together often. She knew that this earth was not her home and that she was only passing through on her way to be with her Savior, and for that we can all be thankful.

She is what one would think of as a Proverbs 31 woman. A lifelong member of Hayden Grove Church of Christ, she was a virtuous wife that provided for her family. She girded herself with strength and her children call her blessed and her husband did also. Shirley was a godly woman that loved the Lord and she set an example for her family and for others to follow for generations to come.

Shirley is survived by her sons: Jon Rory Hayden, Kenneth Roy (Angela) Hayden, and Kelly Nelson (DeDe) Hayden; grandchildren: Erin (Timothy) Verberne, James (Jacy) Hayden, Kody (Alison) Hayden, Holly (Michael) Hightower; great grandchildren: Carrie (Donovan) Hartman, Sarah (Shelton) Starkey, Roy Hayden, Beric Hayden, Robyn Hayden, Danielle Hightower, and Edmund Hightower; great -great grandchildren: Kate Hartman, Cohen Hartman, and Rhett Starkey who is due to be born in December.

Joining her in heaven is her husband, Roy Alton Hayden. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Carrie Stevens, siblings, Sue Lott, Willie Ruth Bennett, Marguerite Durnin, Jimmy "Rip" Stevens, Robert Stevens, and Charles Stevens.

A special thank you to the staff of The Lodge at Tangi Pines for the wonderful care they have provided.