Donna Lee Martin Hayden

Donna Lee Martin Hayden, 90 of Shawnee, Kansas formerly of Paola, Kansas died July 14, 2018 at Overland Park Regional Hospital of natural causes.

She was born October 2nd, 1927 to George Estey Martin and Mary Evelyn Thompson Martin on the family farm near Guilford, Missouri, the youngest of 5 children. She grew up around Guilford, Missouri and graduated from Guilford High School. She graduated from Northwest Missouri State Teacher's College in Maryville, Missouri where she majored in music education with an emphasis in vocal music. During her time in college she was encouraged by several of her professors to apply to Julliard School of Music in NYC. Being during and shortly after WWII she did not pursue the recommendations. In 1969 she completed a graduate degree from the University of Kansas in secondary education.  She taught school for about 35 years changing from music education to social studies ending her career at Osawatomie Junior High School, in Osawatomie, Kansas.

Once she retired she traveled extensively, many mission trips visiting all continents but Antarctica.

She married Charles Walter Hayden of Maryville, Missouri on July 9, 1950.  He was a local watchmaker and jeweler in Paola, Kansas. To this union were born 4 children, 1 son and 3 daughters. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Paola, KS.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, brothers: Leonard, Wilmer and Vilas Martin and sister: Lerita Martin Nelson. Survivors include her children :Irma (Mike) Clay of Prairie Village, KS, Keith (Sherri) Hayden of Wichita, KS, Joyce Campbell of Shawnee, KS, and Anita (Jay) McCoy of Shawnee, KS; 9 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, grandson Charles (Jill) Clay and great-granddaughters Elizabeth and Evelyn of Overland Park, KS, Erin (Ryan) Clay Thousand, and great-grandson Oliver and great-granddaughter Eloise of Gypsum, CO, Lydia Hayden of Wichita, KS, Caleb (Lauren) Hayden and 3 great-granddaughters, Christianna, Elizabeth and Victoria of Wichita, KS, Joshua Hayden of Wichita, KS,  Susanna Hayden of  Wichita, KS, Nathan Hayden of Wichita, KS, Cara McCoy and great-grandsons Maddox and Emmett of Gardner, KS and Kelsey (Geoffrey) McCoy Breedlove of Overland Park, KS.

Visitation will be 6-8:00 pm Friday, July 20th at the Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS. Graveside services will be 11:00 am Saturday, July 21st at the Weathermon Cemetery, Guilford, Missouri.

The family suggests contributions to the Alzheimer's Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.