Toya Jones Hayes

Fond Memories

Order of Service Prayer of Consolation ........... Pastor Fred Luter Hymn of Celebration ............... "I Surrender All" Scripture Readings Psalms 91 ............................Kathy Augustine Revelations 7:15-17 ………. Judith & Michael Hessier Musical Selection ………………………… “Soon & Very Soon” Reflections ......................................................... Glenn Jones Poem ....................... “Success” ......................... Hiram Jones Musical Selection ....... “Toya Hayes” .......... Donavan Savone “Her Story” ...................................................... Janet Johnson Acknowledgements ............................................. Mitze Jones Musical Selection .................................. “I Can Only Imagine” Eulogy ........................................................ Pastor Fred Luter Closing Hymn .................................................. “Going Home”

Benediction Recessional

Reflections…

SUCCESS

Embodied the spirit of commitment to family.

Embodied honesty, loyalty, leadership and trailblazing.

As she mirrored the poem “Invictus,” she thanked whatever Gods may be for her unconquerable soul. And in the fell clutch of many circumstances she never winced or cried out loud as her head may have been bloodied but never unbowed. Living her life taking the road less traveled. As she was not the one to be influenced, but the one to influence.

She was strong enough to stand for what was right even if it meant standing alone. But regardless of her stand, and because of her stand, countless family members and loved ones found themselves at her doorstep to find an open door and open arms and an unbiased love. As her sister Kim Maria said, "Toya was at her best when you were at your worst." My aunt, my mother was strength, honor, integrity, spirituality, intelligence, and love personified. And she was even more beautiful than her beloved African Violets.

-Glenn K. Jones-

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children To earn the appreciation oh honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a Redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you lived; This is to have succeeded -Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Active Pallbearers Seth Brown Keith Brown Hiram Jones

Glenn Jones Allison Randolph Theodore Smith

Hayes

February 28, 1951

We, the family members of the late Toya Jones Hayes, sincerely acknowledge and express our gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for the kind gestures of friendship, love, sympathy and generosity expressed and demonstrated during the illness of our "TJ". Special thanks to her daily caregiver Evelyn Lowe, who did that and so much more . To "Dee "Nixon for a steady hand at the end. Also, many thanks to LA Hospice staff for the open hearts and ears throughout the journey. To everyone ... your contributions both great and small will forever be remembered.

D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA

Toya Jones Sunrise

Acknowledgements

Arrangements

Celebrating the Life and Homegoing of

Sunset May 20, 2014

Internment Private Family Burial

Repast Immediately Following Service

Program Design: Our Celebrations of Life (504) 338-8753 or (504) 453-2186

Saturday, May 24, 2014 * 1:00 pm

D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home 3933 Washington Avenue New Orleans, LA

Her Story Toya Hayes was born on February 28, 1951 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended St. David Elementary School, and graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School. She then attended University of Houston and concluded her post-secondary education at the University of New Orleans, where she earned dual degrees in both Medical Technology and Mechanical Engineering.

A fiercely independent young woman, Toya early on, gravitated towards Astronomy and other interests not common for women of her time. With that in mind, her dreams and aspirations led her on a career path which was both exciting and astounding.

Beginning as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Charity Hospital of New Orleans in 1974, Toya was responsible for performing clinical testing in Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology and Blood Banking. She also worked at United Medical Center and West Jefferson Medical Center in the same capacity. She wanted to do more. In 1986 after returning to the University of New Orleans, Toya earned a second degree in Mechanical Engineering and passed the Louisiana State Board of Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors as an Engineer.

In August of 1987, Toya became Ship Superintendent at the Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard in Bremerton, Washington where she was qualified as a ship safety superintendent of nuclear submarines during their overhaul. She also completed a six month Engineer-in-Training in Navy design, acquisition and logistics management program. She acted as liaison between production shops and the radiological departments overseeing nuclear regulatory issues.

Her Story continued…

From there Toya’s path lead her back home as the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair for the US Navy in New Orleans, Louisiana. This position utilized several of her capabilities that included, Project Engineering, Noise, Shock and Vibration Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

Toya retired from the Navy because of medical issues but always cherished and missed her moments at sea. She would often describe the contentment she felt, the quiet beauty of the ocean and the majesty of the stars while out on deck late in the night. She remained in New Orleans among family and friends and has always been an integral part of the lives of her nephews.

Toya was preceded in death by her father, the Late Joseph Madison “Scoop” Jones; partner David Wells; daughter Jori Hayes and a host of uncles, aunts and beloved cousins.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving mother, Agatha (Randolph) Jones, her siblings Terry B. Jones and Kim Maria Brown, nephews Glenn and Gabriel Jones, Ronald Helmstetter, Keith (Lacy), Justin and Seth Brown, and greatnephew Keenan Brown and grandniece Jade Brown.

She also will be missed by Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends from both New Orleans and across the nation.