Laura Mae Gouge Hyder went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 7, 2019, from her home with her family by her side. She was born July 30, 1933 to the late Ross and Edna McGuire Gouge. Laura was a graduate of Happy Valley High School. She retired from Happy Valley Elementary as a cook. She truly loved her coworkers, faculty and her students.
Laura was a life-long member of Powder Branch Baptist Church. She loved her church and church family. She found joy working in her flower gardens and most of all found joy in taking care of her family on the farm.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Hyder; a sister, Peggy Gouge; brothers, Zack Gouge and an infant brother, John Gouge; and a brother-in-law, Bill Barrett.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Terry Hubbard and husband Lee, David Hyder and wife Lana, Ora Hyder and wife Katherine; grandson, Josh Hubbard and wife Amber and her great-granddaughter, Norah Hubbard, her pride and joy, all residing on the family farm in the Powder Branch Community; a sister, Kate Barrett, Columbia, S.C.; and Chris Grindstaff, who she loved like a son, and his wife Stephanie and their son, Dakota. Several nieces and nephews and special cousins, Teresa and Ernie Ollivares, also survive.
A graveside service to honor the life of Laura Mae Gouge Hyder will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday, September 10, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Rev. Gene Cornett officiating. Music will be under the direction of Josh Hubbard and Barbara Trent. Active pallbearers will be Josh Hubbard, Chris Grindstaff, Joey McKeehan, Russell Hughes, Gene Hubbard, Kevin Ward, Mike Hubbard and Dylan Carr. Honorary pallbearers will be Gayle and Chuck Broyles, David and Kathy Jo Buck, Bobby McKeehan, Bud McKeehan, Ted McKeehan, Patrick Barrett, John Miller, Mike Barrett and members of the Powder Branch Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services from 1 until 2 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the graveside service. Friends may also call at the residence at any time. The family would like to express a special thanks to her loving caregivers, Carolyn Duncan and Amedysis Hospice nurse, Donna. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the W.M.U., Powder Branch Baptist Church, 1710 Powder Branch Road, Johnson City, TN 37601. Online condolences may be sent to the family and viewed by visiting our website at www.hathawaypercy.com.
Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services is honored to serve the Hyder family. Office: (423) 543-5544.