Biography:  

Joyce Jackson Hayden, 93, passed away peacefully with her children beside her on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at her home in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Joyce was born to T.H.”Red” Jackson and Verna Maxine Murray Jackson on June 12, 1932 in Brookwood, Alabama.  She grew up in Alabama and Millington, Tennessee.  She graduated from Millington Central High School in 1950.

After attending Memphis State, Joyce worked in an office at the Naval Air Station in Millington.  It was there, at the officer’s club, where she met her beloved Bill.

Joyce and William Floyd (Bill) Hayden were married on August 1, 1959.  They moved to Little Rock where she worked for the Arkansas Bureau of Roads for five years while Bill completed medical school.  They welcomed two beautiful children, Stanford Thurman and Heather Rebecca.

Anyone who became a friend of Joyce’s was a friend for life.  She was an amazing companion and a great letter writer.  Her signature was often the name of a book character.

Antiques were a passion for Joyce; she shopped at many estate sales.  Quilts and silver were her favorite finds.  She was the keeper of the family history and enjoyed making scrapbooks.

Joyce’s enjoyment of travel began when she took a trip around the world in 1955. Joyce and Bill took many trips together and with their weekly dinner group.

Joyce was a lover of words and an avid reader of books and magazines.  She collected and read antique and vintage magazines. Her favorite spot was on her back porch wicker swing.  She enjoyed watching the bluebirds nest and the geese and ducks swim in her backyard lake.  She held a fondness for butterflies and hummingbirds.

She was a member of the St. Vincent’s Hospital Auxilary and the Little Rock Doctor’s Wives Club. Considering herself a librarian at heart, she volunteered at several school libraries.

The Hayden’s took many trips to Memphis to visit family.  Joyce took pleasure in driving her yellow Cadillac and talking on the CB radio under the handle “Yellow Cat”.  During these excursions, she played 8-track tapes of Glenn Campbell and Silver Connection.

Joyce was loved by many family, friends, and neighbors.  She will be greatly missed by the lives she touched.  

Joyce is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother-in-law, Tom Higgs.

Left to mourn her passing are son Stan and daughter-in-law Jan; daughter Heather; grandson Saul; granddaughter Alexa and husband Terry Katzer, grandsons William and Wyatt Katzer;  sister-in-law Clara Higgs; brother T.H. “Buddy” Jackson and sister-in -law Marilyn; nephews Trey (Cathy) and Jason (Meg) Jackson; niece and namesake Melissa Joyce Jackson; and several great nieces an nephews. 

Joyce will be laid to rest in the Floyd Family Plot in Eureka Springs, Arkansas at 1 o’clock pm on Tuesday March 31st, 2026 

Visitation will be held from 12-4 pm on Monday March 30, 2026 at Ruebel Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Joyce’s name to Habitat for Humanity or your local animal shelter.