Oleta Hayden

Oleta Hayden, 88, of Mertens passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at Trinity Mission Health and Rehab in Italy. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 19, at Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors Chapel in Hillsboro. Burial will follow at Richland Cemetery in Mertens. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Friday prior to service time at the funeral home.

Oleta was born March 1, 1925 in Ellis County to Paul and Stella (Long) Hayden. A graduate of Mertens High School, she went on to study at North Texas State before transferring to Baylor University and earning her Masters degree. She began her teaching career at Brandon and retired as the Home Economics teacher at Milford High School.

A very talented seamstress, she enjoyed sewing and operated a fabric shop out of her home in Mertens. Oleta dedicated her life to the Mertens Community. She was of the Methodist faith.

Preceding her in death were her parents.

Survivors include several cousins, former students, and many friends.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 1700 Lake Success Drive, Waco, TX 76710 or American Heart Association, P. O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284-1125.

The family would like to give a special “Thank You” to Trinity Mission in Italy and Family First Hospice in Ennis for their care; and for everyone’s prayers, calls, and cards.