KENNEDY, Ala. — Gary O’Neal Hayden, 59, died Aug. 10, 2025, at Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, at St. Paul C.M.E. Church, with the Rev. Michael Brock officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be two hours prior to services at the church. Lee-Sykes Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Hayden was born Nov. 1, 1965, in Kennedy, to the late Roy Edward Hayden and Ruby Nell Hayden. He attended Kennedy High School and Brewer State College and was a member of St. Paul C.M.E. Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Maryland Dixon and Roy Earl Hayden.

He is survived by his wife, Sonia Hayden; daughters, Sumra Shiers and Tiffany Hayden; and siblings, Barbara Phillips, Glen Hayden, Kenneith Hayden, Gloria Harton, Nancy Hayden, Michael Hayden, Jeffrey Hayden, Kevin Hayden and Patsy Medley.

Pallbearers are Anthony Harton, Steve Hayden, Gregory Hayden, Jeremiah Hayden, Reggie Hayden, Jerome Hayden, Jawan Hayden and Tyran Harton.