Jane (Simmons) Hayden

Jane Simmons Hayden, 86, of Searcy, AR went "home" on November 11, 2016. Jane was born November 4, 1930 in Tupelo, AR to the late Felix and Sallie Simmons. She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Ransom E. Hayden. She is also survived by their daughter, Debra McNamee and her husband Owen of Plantation, FL; 4 grandchildren, Peter Chesla and daughter Sophia of Plantation, FL ; Sarah Hayden of Worcester, MA, Catherine Sabel (Zachery) and their children, Wesley and Violet of Southborough, MA, and John Chesla of Miami, FL; two step-grandchildren, Kimberly Gorgens (Jerry Georgeff) and their son, Vander of Denver, CO and Jennifer Vazquez (Miquel) and sons, James, Nick, AJ. She is also survived by many loving family members and good friends. She is preceded in death by her sisters and their spouses, Margie Bone (Noel), Sybil Sullards (Fletcher) and her brother, Ben Simmons (Johnnie). Jane graduated from Newport High School and attended Arkansas State Teachers College. In addition to her years in Newport, Searcy and on Greers Ferry lake at the family lake house, Jane spent many years in St. Louis, MO and Orlando, FL. She worked as an office manager for a music company in St. Louis but her true calling was serving Christ through her volunteer work at church. She served as a pre-school teacher and leader, Sunday school teacher, piano player, kitchen manager, cook, and volunteer extraordinaire. Her stories about fishing with her Daddy and her early life on the farm will be dearly missed. Jane was a very generous woman and she was also a wonderful cook. Her fried chicken and chicken and dumplings were extraordinary. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 15, 2016 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Wesley Room of the First United Methodist Church in Searcy, 301 North Main. The funeral service will immediately follow in the sanctuary. The graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Walnut Grove Cemetery, North Magnolia Street, Newport, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the First United Methodist Church of Searcy or their favorite charity. Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net

Jane (Simmons) Hayden

November 4, 1930 - November 11, 2016