Mildred Hayward

Mildred Marie Parker Hayward Mildred Marie Parker Hayward, 84, of Hoopers Island, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, September 23, 2013. She was born July 30, 1929, on Hoopers Island and attended Hoopers Island School. She worked as a waitress for Dayton's Restaurant, then she worked for WT Ruark Seafood Company most of her life until her declining health. She had been a member of Hosier United Methodist Church, but was currently a member of Riverside Wesleyan Church. She taught Sunday School at both churches and touched the lives of so many children on the island. She also loved to attend Salem United Methodist Church in Virginia, when she was with her daughter. She was also a member of the Hoopers Island Volunteer Fire Company. She loved to read and study the Bible. She loved gospel music, especially Ivan Parker and loved to attend church and gospel music concerts as much as possible. She looked forward to going to Ocean City each year for her birthday. Her favorite food was fried oysters. She learned to play the guitar as a child and sang in numerous churches. She continued to sing with her daughter in church most recently in Denton. She loved her family and everyone else she knew. She lived a plain and simple life, always serving the Lord whom she loved so much. She is at home now with Him and no doubt singing with the heavenly choir. Earth loss is truly heavens gain. She is survived by her son, Paul Kenneth Hayward of Cambridge; her daughter, Brenda Jean Anthony of Palmyra, VA; grandson, Roger "Lee" Anthony Jr. of Palmyra, VA; and her step grandchildren, Savannah, Gerald and Jethro of Ava, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her mother, Marie Violet Simmons Parker; her father, Hubert Cecil Parker; sister, Rebecca Meade Thawley; son-in-law, Roger Lee Anthony Sr.; and daughter-in-law, Dawn Marie Hayward. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, PA, in Cambridge, with Pastor Chuck Hudson officiating. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Salem United Methodist Church in Palmyra, VA.

This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.