Ora Lee Hayden

ObituaryOra Lee was born in Howell, Arkansas on January 7, 1932 to Jack Nelson and Naomi Bass Nelson. Her parents and a brother, Floyd Ryland Nelson, preceded her in death. Ora Lee accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age and was baptized at Mount Bethel Church in Howell, Arkansas. Ora Lee moved to Saint Louis as a teenager where she later meet and married Leroy Burton Hayden of Kirkwood and shared their lives together for over 60 years. She was a proud resident of the Meacham Park Community where she traveled to Washington to address the Congress as a community activist for basic improvement for the Meacham Park Neighborhood. She also was instrumental in supporting and initiating the efforts of the St. John Mercy Meacham Park Clinic. She was the Neighborhood Mom, who feed many friends, provided shelter for some, handed out discipline when needed, shared words of wisdom, and loved us all unconditionally. On July 21, 2012 Ora Lee was called home to be with the Lord. She leaves to cherish her legacy: a devoted and beloved husband Leroy Burton Hayden; 5 children - Harriet Patton (Ronald Sr.), Ricky Nelson (Christine), Naomi Nelson, Leroy Hayden (Nathaline), and Howard Hayden (Shantell); 3 stepchildren; Elsie Ashley (Dwayne), Ella Mae Runnels, and Lee Rodgers Hurst (Marcia); 5 siblings, George Nelson (Ark), Melvin Spearman (Denise) (Ill), Dale Ogden (Dave), Diane Lawrence(Armando) (GA), Bernice Solomon (Ill), and special sister-in- law Lorraine Spearman (Ill): and a host of grandchildren, great- grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends Genevieve &, Ron Hodges and Carol Stott Harding. Interment:Oak Hill CemeteryKirkwood, MO 63122 .