Mary Lea Hayhurst, 82, of Killeen, passed away at her home, October 27, 2015. She was born in Benton Arkansas, on August 3,1933, to Chester Mitchell and Oma Lea Hudgins Mitchell. She was an Officer’s wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother and a strategic business woman.
Mary Lea was married to Joseph Owen Hayhurst in 1956, who preceded her in death in 2002. She is survived by her children, Owen Hayhurst and wife, Debbie of Leander TX, Jill Hayhurst and partner, Nola Johnston of Gabriola Island, Canada, Karl Hayhurst and wife Kris of Killeen, and Cindy Hayhurst Stephenson of Dallas, TX. She has 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Mary Lea entered studies at the University of Texas at the age of 16, where she met her lifetime love, Joe Hayhurst. They married and she left UT to travel with Joe as his military career required. When they settled in Killeen she completed her education, earning two degrees, a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Masters in Computer Science from the American Technological University in Killeen.
Mary Lea managed, and retired from, the Central Texas College (CTC) Bookstore in 1994. She was listed in Who's Who of the Southwest in 78 And 79; she was a member and avid supporter of Bell County Democratic Women, a Former Secretary of CTC Retirees, a H & R Block Tax Preparation Volunteer at Killeen Civic Center, and past treasurer of Centex Humane Society.
She loved to travel and she loved football. She was a very strong woman of integrity, drive and love of education. She supported groups that empowered women such as National Organization of Women (NOW) and American Business Women’s Association.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent to Family In Crisis.
You may share words of comfort to the Hayhurst family by visiting www.crawfordbowersfuneral.com
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