Obituary of Mary Hayward

Mary Joy Hayward, age 81, devoted mother and servant of the community, died at Hawthorne Village on Friday, November 6, 2009, following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. She was born March 05, 1928, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Aubrey K. and Kathleen Lee. She attended elementary school in Tallahassee and graduated from Gainesville High School in 1945. Joy graduated in the College of Pharmacy from the University of Florida in 1950, being the first woman to hold office in the Student Union. Mrs. Hayward met Leal Dorman Hayward, her loving husband for 60 years, at the Baptist Student Union in Gainesville. They married at the First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida on June 5, 1949. Mrs. Hayward was a vital member of the Ocala community. She was President of the Jr. and Sr. Woman's Clubs, and was then District Director. She served on numerous civic councils and advisory boards, promoting heart health, rehabilitation at the Florida School for Girls, and education. Joy wrote weekly articles for the Ocala Star-Banner for several years. She was instrumental in developing the Student Exchange program with Sincelejo, Colombia, for which she was affectionately called Mamacita by the students who visited Ocala over the years of the program. Her volunteer work with the Ocala Library made a significant effect and afforded her State recognition as Volunteer of the Year. Joy is survived by her children Lee Hayward, Lindy Thomas, and Jenny Ransone; her grandchildren Melissa Hayward, Leal Ransone, Leah Slaughter, and Elizabeth Ransone; her great-grandchild Josh Slaughter; and her brothers and sister, Angie Sawyer, Benny Lee, and Jim Lee. A Memorial Service for Mary Joy Hayward will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 14, 2009, at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 SE Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala.