Bertha Mae Hayward

Bertha Mae Hayward, age 91, formerly of Stockton, Missouri, received her heavenly reward May 30, 2015.

She was born December 17, 1923, in Dade County, Missouri, near Greenfield, the daughter of Lawrence Berry and Nancy Ann (Montgomery) Jennings.

Since July 2010, she had been lovingly cared for at the Ash Grove Healthcare Facility, Ash Grove, Missouri.

Bertha Mae was the youngest child and only daughter of the 13 children of Lawrence and Nancy Jennings. She attended Mt. Zion grade school at Cousin City. She graduated with honors from Greenfield High School in 1942.

She married Jack Hayward of Needmore, Missouri, on January 6, 1943. While Jack was overseas in World War II from 1944-46, Bertha Mae lived with her parents and worked at Kemperts Caf in Greenfield.

Shortly after Jacks return from WWII, they moved to Tulare, California, where their son Randy was born in 1947.

During the first 20 years of their marriage, Jack and Bertha Mae lived in Missouri and California, always living close to the Hayward and Jennings families.

In 1958, their daughter Carolyn was born in Covina, California. The family moved back to Missouri for the last time in 1963, settling in Stockton, Missouri.

Bertha Mae enjoyed several short-term employment opportunities such as cooking at the Eastern Gate Restaurant and working as a temp at the Cedar County Court House. She retired after 12 years as cook at the Stockton Nursing Home from 1974 - 1986.

She delighted in her children, devoting her total commitment to them as a full-time homemaker until Carolyn was in high school.

Bertha Mae was a beautiful and gracious woman with a kind and compassionate spirit. She was a hostess of excellence to all who entered her home. Her culinary skills were surpassed by no one -- especially her pie-making abilities.

She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, embroidering, cooking and baking, listening to KWFC Christian radio, Ladies Prayer Band, and was a member of the Lend-a-Hand Club. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and doting great-grandmother.

She accepted Christ as her personal Savior in January 1950 at a revival meeting with Bro. Ralph Gothard at Needmore, Missouri. She was water baptized in February 1950, sanctified in 1966 at the Church of God Holiness, and has followed Christ in all areas of her life.

She was a childrens Sunday School and VBS teacher for many years, and was very happy to work in the church wherever she could make a difference. She attended the Stockton Assembly of God Church in Stockton, Missouri.

Bertha Mae placed a high priority on studying Gods Word, both privately and formally. She received numerous church awards: Certificate of Loyalty, Workers Training Course Certificate, Certificate of Recognition in VBS Leadership, Workers Stewardship Training Certificate, Certificate of Perfect Attendance, National Bible Reading Campaign Recognition, and Bible Basic New Life Discipleship Course.

The Lord called our sweet Mother unto Himself this week. No one can ever take her place, and her homegoing leaves us saddened for ourselves. But we rejoice for her, as she is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Jack Hayward; her parents, Lawrence and Nancy Jennings; and 12 brothers: Tommy, Homer, Dick, John, twins Troy and Roy, Joe Bean, Leo, Howard, Elmer, Truman, and infant David.

Bertha Mae is survived by her son Randall Randy Hayward and wife, Corda, of Stockton, Missouri; daughter, Carolyn Ann (Hayward) Tucker and husband, Jimmy, of Fort Scott, Kansas; five grandchildren: Brad Hayward and wife, Teresa, Bolivar, Missouri; Julie (Hayward) Woods and husband, JR, of Bolivar; Carson Hayward and wife, Lyndsey, of Stockton; Mariam (Tucker) Self and husband, Levi, of Gardner, Kansas; and Aaron Tucker and wife, Cynthia, of Joplin, Missouri; five great grandchildren: Paige and Jackson Woods, and Britney Hayward, all of Bolivar; Caleb Hayward of Stockton; and Lydia Mae Self of Gardner.

Bertha Mae loved God, His Word, and the body of believers. She lived her life according to John 13:34: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Her desire was to live her life in a manner pleasing to the One who created the heavens and the earth and to hear Him say, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few thingsenter thou into the joy of the Lord.

Rev. Brent Bland conducted the memorial service at the Stockton Assembly of God Church on Monday, June 1, at 2:00 p.m. Pallbearers were Joe Jennings, Darrell Pummill, John Richter, Monty Russell, Levi Self and JR Woods. Interment was at Lindley Prairie Cemetery near Bear Creek, Missouri. Arrangements were under the direction of Brumback Funeral Home.