Annette B. Hayden

Annette Berry Singleton-Hayden was born in 1938 to the late Mary L. Berry (Payne) and Ralph Dudley Sr. in Jacksonville NC. At the young age of 15 years of age Annette moved to Pittsburgh to live with her aunt and cousins where she attended Fifth Avenue High School. To help with her independence, Annette left high school and went to work for Mercy Hospital. She always had a passion for helping others and caring for people.

She met Donald Singleton Sr. In 1956 at the 4th of July street party. They married in June of 1957. To this union they had two children, Kimberly Singleton (Darwin-Carson) 1959 and Donald Singleton Jr. 1965. They enjoyed the young love in the Hill District Francis street housing development until they saved to relocate to the east side area Homewood of Pittsburgh PA. Annette was a devoted mother and housewife until her children were school age.

Annette would work part-time jobs helping families clean, prepare laundry and meals. She returned to education to retain her GED in 1979. She loved to travel with her family. Family vacations to Wild-wood New Jersey with her best friends and their children were always welcome. They family then moved to Penn Hills where the children had transportation to schools and shopping. The family were active members of the Brushton United Methodist church. There, Annette taught youth Sunday School. Annette later went to work for Kaufmans, aka Macy’s department store and State Farm insurance company. Once she became a grandmother to her first and only grandson Nathaniel Darwin Jr. she preferred to limited her work hours to help raise her grandson while daughter Kimberly completed her high school education. When her marriage ended, she decided to live near her family in Memphis TN and then on to her family home with family in Washington DC.

Where she met and married Felix Hayden. While living in Washington DC she worked for the DC public schools system helping mentally challenged children. She spent quality time with her Aunt Trecy Breece and cousins, Jill Breece and Albert Patterson. She suffered a minor illness and felt she would be more comfortable back with her family in Pittsburgh. Annette returned to Pittsburgh. She was welcomed by her Grandson, Nathaniel Darwin Jr. and his wife Tamika. She began helping assist with her great grandchildren Najier, Talawn and Taniah. Annette accepted a position with FEMA to assist with displaced families due to hurricane Katrina. Annette was also a valued employee of the CODA program. A children’s after school program. During that time she was active member of the Laketon Heights Church in Penn Hills.

Annette had a spirit designed to help everyone. So after her working career ended, she volunteered with Senior Companions a non-profit program designed to give seniors a few hours of companionship to avoid being lonely. She won awards and was highly favored with clients. With the birth of her last great grandchild and her angel AKA Tamiya, Annette opted to babysit full time until she became ill. She fought a hard fight to continue her earthly duties. Which also included reading and studying her bible frequently during the day and night. Annette was always willing to provide scripture or bible reference to help with daily problems. She loved her BET movies and was very fluent with current entertainers. She loved beauty and admired well dressed and well manored people. What she enjoyed most was traveling with her close friends and family and teaching her grandchildren her favorable recipes. Entertaining her entire family and hanging out, at the local stores and shops, running errands with her ex-husband/best friend was always on her agenda. She was also helpful with maintaining the family paint business. Annette’s gigantic smile was priceless until the very end when she resided in assisted rehab living. All the staff enjoyed her presence. She will be missed wherever she was known.

Annette, leaves to mourn her loving companion Donald L. Singleton, Sr.; children, Donald L. Singleton Jr., Kimberly Singleton Darwin-Carson; grandson, Nathaniel William Darwin Jr. (Tamika); great-grandchildren, Najier W. Darwin, Talawn Darwin, Taniah Darwin, Tamiya Darwin; her bothers, Jack L. Payne (Ruby), Ralph Dudley, Michael Dudley (Andrea) Robert and sister Inez; cousins, Jerome Patterson (Barbara), Mark Patterson (Maureen) Juanita Berry, Wabe Berry, Daniel Berry, William Berry, Reginald Berry (Anne) and Jill Breece; niece, Katrina Payne and nephew, Jack Payne Jr., nieces, Beverly and Teresa Matthews and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives; Her BFF’s Elaine Curry, Shirley Covington Boyd, Shirley Golden, Barbara Stewart and Sarah Mack.
 Ms. Kimberly Darwin-Carson
 
 

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