Paula Sue Hayes

Paula Sue Burnum Hayes
TUSCALOOSA | Paula Sue Burnum Hayes, age 80, died peacefully July 4, 2015, at Hunter Creek Rehabilitation after an extended illness. She was born September 8, 1934, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Susie Mosely Burnum and Paul Frank Burnum. She attended Stafford Elementary School and was a proud 1952 graduate of Tuscaloosa High School ("Go Black Bears!") After completing her freshman year at Sweet Briar College in Virginia, Dr. Hayes finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama. She made several lifelong friends in Kappa Delta sorority and graduated as a Phi Beta Kappa with a BS in English in 1956.
Dr. Hayes met Allen Page Hayes of Bay Minette, when they were both students at the University. They married in 1956, and enjoyed a 20 year union living in Kansas, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Paula Sue and Allen had five children together.
Dr. Hayes received her MA in English at the University of Florida in 1963. This served as the catalyst for a teaching career that would span almost 40 years.
Dr. Hayes returned to her beloved hometown, Tuscaloosa, in 1971, where she taught English and writing courses at the middle school, high school, and college levels and, later, in programs for adult learners. Her love of the beauty in language and her genuine joy of teaching and learning was a professional and personal inspiration for Dr. Hayes from the earliest years of her career to the last days of her life.
It was not unusual for her to recite Emily Dickens or Robert Frost, to share a line from the Episcopal hymnal, or sing a tune from eras past to illustrate a point, to enliven a memory, or simply offer something beautiful to her listener. She loved sharing stories of her family and wrote many compilations which will continue to be enjoyed and treasured.
Dr. Hayes was genuinely compassionate and kind. A unique and loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, teacher, mentor, neighbor, and friend, she touched the lives of countless people through her family, successful teaching career, and extensive network of friends and acquaintances. Her unique combination of academic and human interest influenced her doctoral work in women's studies leading her to complete a PhD in Educational Leadership in 1983.
She spent the remaining majority of her professional life with Shelton State Community college, where she served as the Director of New Options, a program for returning women students. In addition, she led and taught in the community and out of State at Chautauqua Institution (Chautauqua, NY) Throughout her life and career, she embraced opportunities to take up the cause of others, and she assisted many people in a variety ways. Dr. Hayes was most recently recognized for her engagement in civil rights work with the MLK Mountaintop Achievement award.
Though she loved teaching, her most treasured 'class' was her family and her friends, who were as family to her. These included her childhood friends and those from high school and college circles, the "early campers" of Camp McDowell, her neighborhood friends, professional colleagues, and her community of faith at Canterbury Episcopal Chapel. Above all, the most precious to her, were her eight granddaughters and her most prized title was not Dr. Hayes, but, ''MeMe''. For these and so many more, memories and influences continue on: "The music in my heart l bore, long after it was heard no more."
Paula Sue Burnum Hayes was predeceased by her mother, Susie Mosely Burnum; father, Paul Frank Burnum; brother, John Francis Burnum; infant son, Robert Emmet Hayes; and niece, Susan Burnum Wade.
She is survived by sons, Paul Allen Hayes of Montgomery, Andrew Wilson Hayes (Susan) of Equality, and John Mosely Hayes (Goong) of Rockville, Md.; daughter, Susanna Burnum Hayes Whitsett (Daniel) of Homewood; and their father, Allen Page Hayes; sister-in-law, Celeste Burnum of Tuscaloosa; granddaughters, Gabriela Maria Hayes, Andrea Rebecca Hayes, and their mother, Julia Sosa Hayes of Montgomery, Katie Hayes Hottel (Adam) of Washington D.C., Anna Elizabeth Hayes, Ann Mosely Whitsett, Evelyn Auxford Whitsett, Susanna Belle Whitsett of Homewood, and Premjit Paula Hayes of Rockville, Md.; and a host of other relatives, including her "sister-cousin", Mary Mosely Chambliss and longtime family friend, Elizabeth "Liz" Ryan.
With deep gratitude Dr. Hayes' family thanks Marilyn Matthews for her companionship and support and Diane Ward for her Ioving attention.
Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2015, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Christ Episcopal Church with a memorial service following.
Honorary pallbearers are Patricia Dice, Paula Pointer, Denson Burnum of Birmingham, Betsy Lake, Christy B. Davidson George Cooper of Tuscaloosa, Rufus Mosely of Gulf Shores, and Allen Hayes of Rockville, Md.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks gifts be made to Canterbury Episcopal Chapel and Student Center, 815 5th Ave, Tuscaloosa 35401, or Gribbin House at Camp McDowell, 105 DeLong Road, Nauvoo, AL 35578.