KNOX COUNTY - departed earthly life to be with the savior Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
Consecrated to God. Born 1931 in Columbus, MS, daughter of Alice Abigale Walton and Charles Robert Hayes, Sr. Married May 29, 1952 to Raymond Agenor Rochat of Knoxville, TN.
Children/ Donna Zane Rochat Parker (Daniel Taylor), Laurence Agenor Rochat (Kathy Day), Martha Jane Rochat; and Frank Stephen Rochat (Susan Taylor, pre-deceased). Grandchild/ Jillyn Denise Rochat.
Preceded in death by parents, son-in-law Charles Michael Parker, sisters Viola Mae Hayes, Gladys Elizabeth Hayes Melton (Olan Kelmer, Sr.), Geneva Juanita Hayes Still (John, Jr.), Dixie Helen Hayes Stover Houck (John Wesley, Sr.), and brother Charles Robert Hayes Jr. (Ruby Marie Newberry), two nephews and niece.
Survived by four nieces and three nephews, and brother-in-law Vernon Everett Rochat (Marjorie Duncan).
Ancestors/ Hayes, Walton, Hodge, Jamerson, McGinnis, Cruze, Johnson, Farmer, Rucker, Dotson.
Diverse pursuits with leadership and acts of generosity . . .Ministering/ Prayer Room Warrior and founder-department director of Special Friends at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, teacher at Fort Hill Baptist Church, and Counselor for East Tennessee Billy Graham Crusade.
Education/ attended University of Tennessee - Knoxville and graduated from Bradley Central High School, Cleveland, being in YWCA Y-Teens and Tri-Hi-Y, and Future Homemakers of America. Employment/ substitute teacher nine years for Knox County Schools with supply teaching most of two years at Vestal Elementary School and interim principal of special education Maple Grove School, long distance toll operator at Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co., in Cleveland and Knoxville, TN, managed counter then headed section at F.W. Woolworth Co., Cleveland, and capped strawberries at a Cleveland frozen food plant.
Officer/ WoodmenLife (WOW) family fraternity Vestal Chapter 803, Knox County Doyle Band Boosters Association including chaperoning, and Knoxville Cerebral Palsy Center Parents Council Volunteer/ Vestal School remedial reading teacher and Girl Scout troupe leader, and East Tennessee Children's Hospital Auxiliary toy cart and supply room. Gardener/ flower and vegetables and exhibits at Tennessee Valley Fair. Books/ Bradley Central Library Club, Vestal School librarian, author of Her memories go! for Roshadyland Books. Music/ Autoharpist for the Rochat Family band having performed in E. TN and Switzerland.
The family will receive friends Monday, September 30, 2024 from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm, in the parlors of Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN. Funeral service, Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 11am will be held in the chapel of Berry Funeral Home, Mennonite Rev. Noah Shetler of Englewood (Athens, TN) officiating, Donna Rochat Taylor, Rev. Bill Hayes and Rev. John Houck reminiscing, singing by Englewood (Athens), TN Mennonite small group, and Rev. Gene Hurley presenting the Gospel. Procession to follow to Woodlawn Cemetery, 4500 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville
Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Rochat family at www.berryfuneralhome.com
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.6