Mary Belle Hay

Mary Belle Hay of San Angelo died Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, having lived a long and productive life. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at First United Methodist Church of San Angelo, the church where she was married and had been an active, continuous member since 1929. Mrs. Hay was born Nov. 8, 1920, in Swisher County, Texas, to Sterling T. Rodgers and Mildred Stickney Rodgers, members of a pioneer Panhandle ranching family. She was a direct descendant of John and Priscilla Alden of Mayflower fame. She attended public schools in San Angelo and was in the first group to attend Santa Rita Elementary School. She also attended San Angelo Junior College and the University of Texas, where she graduated in 1943. Mary Belle married John Alvin Hay on Aug. 22, 1943, just after he completed his officer training and shortly before his departure for naval service in the South Pacific. They had been married eight days short of 69 years. They established their residence in San Angelo, where their two sons were born. She taught kindergarten and first grade for many years in the San Angelo Independent School District. Mary Belle Hay was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, community volunteer, world traveler, avid bridge player and proud Longhorn - not necessarily in that order. She was a skilled needlepoint artist. Among her many gifts and creations, she helped create and stitch the kneelers for the altar at First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the PEO and retired teachers' organization. Mary Belle Hay is survived by her husband, John Alvin Hay Sr.; her son, John Alvin Hay Jr. and wife Marilyn Aboussie; her son, Gordon Rodgers Hay and wife Sandy Hay; and one grandson, John Alvin Hay III. She is also survived by a special cousin, Carol Calkins; many other cousins; and former exchange student from Spain and longtime friend, Rafael Mazarrasa, and his family. The Hay family would like to express appreciation to caregivers Lupe Sosa, Evelina Asebedo, Glorinda Zapata, Luda Bara and the staff at Baptist Memorials. Memorials may be made in Mary Belle's memory to First United Methodist Church of San Angelo, Texas, or a favorite charity .