Donald Hileman Haynes

Donald Hileman “Don” Haynes, 93, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 13th, 2022. He was born in Bath County, Virginia as the firstborn of Ruth and Gordon Haynes, on December 1, 1928. As son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to all, he served his community throughout his life. He served as a Marine in the Korean War, had an over 3-decade career at American Airlines and volunteered as a Blue Suede Shoe representative at the Memphis airport in his retirement.

He loved life and always tried to live every day to the fullest. He was a stranger to no one, giving a warm smile and hello to anyone in his vicinity. If you were lucky you would get a handshake or a hug. He loved to shop in out-of-the-way places to stock his gift stash that he generously shared with anyone he met. He went out early every day to deliver all the neighbors’ newspapers to their doorstep, and brought their trash cans up the driveway on trash pickup day. He was a loyal member, elder, and Sunday school teacher at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church since 1966, where the church staff could always count on him for a steady supply of chocolate.

He will be remembered by his friends and family for many things: his crazy sayings, his love of telling jokes, his homemade greeting cards, his strong affinity for nachos, his curious Christmas gift choices, and his ability to brighten anyone’s day. Most importantly, he was known and loved for his devotion to family, and his greatest joy was seeing that love returned and shared in abundance.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Charlotte, two daughters, Julie (Marc) Cunningham of Somerville, TN, and Donna (Bruce) Henry of Alexandria, VA, his 6 grandchildren, who affectionately knew him as Poppie, and two great-granddaughters. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy Parker, and his two sisters, Patsy and Shirley. Surviving brothers include Pete (Charlotte), Sonny (Betty) and Jerry (Sandy) as well as an extended family who called him Duck.

The remembrance of life will be held at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, 5530 Shady Grove Rd. in Memphis, TN on Friday, July 22nd. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. and the service will follow at 2 p.m. A reception at the church will take place after the service. Don will be interred at Warm Springs Cemetery in Warm Springs, VA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Shady Grove Presbyterian Church at the address above.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Haynes family.