On Thursday, January 9, 2025, our beloved Dr. Lucy Kelly Hayden, was called home to Glory. Lucy was the daughter of the late Isaac Belmont Hayden and Bessie Gaines Scroggins. She was born in Paris, Kentucky on November 30, 1924. She was the only child of the union. Lucy's father died when she was 7 years old, and her father made her mother promise that she would send Lucy to college.

During her youth she was a faithful and devoted member of First Baptist Church in Paris, Kentucky. She accepted the Lord and lived a good and God-fearing life without question. She and her mother made the church their home away from home. Lucy maintained her membership with First Baptist Church throughout her entire life. She was truly a good and faithful servant.

In the Spring 2021 Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels newsletter for Women's History Month, Lucy was highlighted as a trailblazer and educator. "She has never been one to let things get in her way. As a young, black woman in the 1940s, Dr. Hayden didn't let Jim Crow era laws prevent her from earning a college degree. As she pursued her goals and dreams, Dr. Hayden forged new pathways, breaking gender and racial barriers throughout her career as a high school teacher and college professor."

Lucy graduated from Paris Western High School in Paris, Kentucky and living life in alignment to her father's desire of her completing her college education, she attended Kentucky State College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1946. After graduation, she moved to Detroit, Michigan becoming the first African American teacher at the then prestigious Highland Park High School. Lucy continued her education by receiving a Master's degree and completing her Doctorate degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan in 1972. Committed to learning, she did further graduate work at Boston University, Harvard University and the University of London, England.

While attending the University of Michigan in the 70's, Lucy was introduced to Attorney Francis Lawrence Robinson by his aunt, Mrs. Hattie Myrtle Robinson, from whom she was renting a room. After their meeting, Lucy said, "he liked what he saw" and Lucy and Francis were married in 1974 at her home in Paris, Kentucky. They shared 32 years of wonderful life together, enjoying the opera, traveling and spending time with family and friends. They remained married until his death in 2006.

Lucy taught at several colleges throughout the country including Morgan State College (Baltimore, MD), Central State University (Wilberforce, OH) before ending her career at Eastern Michigan University in 2001. Although Lucy retired from teaching, she continued to remain active in educational venues. Lucy served in a variety of volunteer positions, and she financially supported programs – especially those aimed at providing educational opportunities to African American youth. She loved music, particularly opera and was a member of the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale for over 15 years. She sang soprano and enjoyed performing in the concerts given each year by the chorale.

Lucy was also a life member of Delta Sigma, Theta, Inc. Sorority (a service-oriented sorority) for over 80 years. She supported the sorority's educational and public service programs.

Lucy is survived by her first cousins, Kenneth (Jean) Ashley, Gerald (Krystal) Ashley, Martha Ashley, cousins Barbara Clark & Family, Sharon Fields, Gerald Fields, Vanessa Logan, Lisa Warfield, Eleanor Brown, Ophelia Patterson, Tessie Gaines, nieces, Theresa Robinson and Ellen (Mario) Ricoma, nephews, Eugene Robinson and Charles (Karen) Robinson, as well as great nieces, Rev. Jacquelynne Burge and Bethany Burge, her extended family John, Patsy, and Peter Bruenger, Mark and Lucy Shaw and sons, her very special sister friend Gloria Morris and her beloved sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. – Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter and a host of generations of family members and friends, too numerous to name.

To know Lucy, was to know a lady whose compassion was contagious, whose commitment was unmatched and whose smile could brighten the darkest room. To know her, was to love her. She will be missed and forever remembered by those who were fortunate enough to know her.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 11:00am, Rev. Jacquelynne D. Burge officiating, with visitation beginning at 10:00am at Nie Family Funeral Home - Liberty Chapel, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday February 3, 2025 by Rev. Jacques Wiggington at the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home Chapel, 1120 Main St., Paris, KY. Visitation will be 10:00 AM Monday February 3. 2025 until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Interment will take place at Evergreen Memory Gardens in Paris, Kentucky.

The family of Dr. Lucy Kelly Hayden would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the many friends, and family members who offered expressions of comfort during our time of bereavement. May God bless each of you for your kindness and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Dr. Lucy Kelly Hayden to the following: Kentucky State University – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc Alpha Pi Chapter - 400 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40601

Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.: Scholarship Fund - PO Box 3704, Ann Arbor, MI 48106

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Lusk-McFarland Funeral Home Chapel, 1120 Main St., Paris, KY. The online guestbook is at www.luskmcfarland.com and a 24-hour funeral information line can be reached by calling 859-987-4387.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Lucy, please visit our floral store.