Thelma Alexander Hayden

Born in White Heath, IL, she was the daughter of the late Charles W. and Pearl B. Alexander. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Roger Hayden and one sister, Ettabelle Hamilton.

Thelma was mostly a “stay at home Mom” who devoted her life to being a wonderful wife and mother. She was the organizer of the annual family vacations taken around the U.S. Thelma and John spent several years as the owners and laborers of The Produce Patch in Forest. Thelma spent countless hours volunteering in the community and her church.

Thelma is survived by two children, Susan H. Dempsey Jones, (Alan) and Paul Hayden, (Joyce); three brothers, Lyle Alexander, (Darlene), Lawrence Alexander and William Alexander, (Janet); six grandchildren, Patrick Dempsey, Molly Hafner, (Joseph), Christopher Hayden, (Kyle), Richard Hayden, Ben Jones and Natalie Mays; three great grandchildren, Lily and Quentin Hafner and Donovin Mays and three brothers-in-law, Edgar Hayden, (Dora), Richard Hayden, (Helen) and Don Hamilton.

Thelma thoroughly enjoyed the many visits from her faithful friends. To her caretakers at Runk and Pratt and the Seven Hills Hospice who cared for our Mom in her final years and months, we are most grateful.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Whitten Timberlake Chapel. Interment will follow at Virginia Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8: 30 p.m., today, May 9, 2011, at Whitten Timberlake Chapel.

The family requests that those wishing to make memorial contributions please consider the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 823, Lynchburg, VA 24505.