Allien Carter Hayden

Allien Carter Hayden, 88, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2014. Graveside service: 1 p.m. Tuesday in Moore Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Monday at Arlington Chapel. Memorials: contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or the American Cancer Society. Allien was born Sept. 11, 1925, in Cord, Ark., to Thomas J. and Lona Mae Carter. She grew up in Evening Shade, Ark., and attended Arkansas State College where she was homecoming queen and Miss Daisy Mae at the annual Sadie Hawkins Festival. While there, she met a handsome star-athlete, Charles Lewis Hayden, which led to a 50-year marriage. Lewis and Allien moved to Arlington in 1959 and coached and taught for Arlington ISD. Allien was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and was totally devoted to her family. She enjoyed hosting all of the family gatherings with her unbeatable cooking. She was an expert seamstress, gardener and loved to be surrounded by beauty. The family was always encouraged to visit anytime, and stay for days because her house was still their home. Allien's resilience, inner toughness and fortitude are a source of inspiration for her family and all that knew her. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to Ann Dolan for her special care and friendship; Dr. Joe Owens, her long-term family physician, for his compassion and dedication; the entire staff at Hinkle Sterling House in Denton; and the doctors, nurses and staff at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Lewis Hayden; her parents, Thomas and Lona Carter; brothers, T.J. and John L. Carter; and great-grandson, Carter McCuller. Survivors: daughters, Janette Haywood (Paul) and Jonia Hayden; sons, Russ Hayden (Michele) and Ron Hayden (Karen); eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sisters, Tommie Shaughnessy and Virginia Masner.