R.C. Hay

Abingdon, VA – A son of the mountains of Southwest Virginia, R.C. Hay was born June 16, 1937, to the late Mary Lyall Hay and Johnny V. Hay of Mill Creek, VA and died on Saturday October 31, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jolene Hay; a beloved daughter, Megan Hay of Roanoke; a second daughter-of-the-heart, Irene Cheetwood of Roanoke; two sisters, Ella June (Arnold) Reynolds formerly of Marion and now of Bristol, VA and Willa Mae (Bob) Hootman of Kendallville, IN; one brother-in-law, Bud (Vicky) Norris; six nieces and three nephews, Rosemary (Lynn) Wright Colley of Lexington, KY, Robin Norris (John) Ratliff of Bristol, VA, Mary Norris (Michael) Poe of Abingdon, Don Hootman of Tucson, AZ, John (Tammy) Hootman of Albian, IN, and Gary Reynolds and wife Debbie of Bristol, VA who were our helpers through R.C.’s illness the past six months. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Trula Turner, Madeline Rowe, Phyllis Norris, and Elsie Wright; four brothers-in-law, George Turner, Othnie Rowe, Arnold Reynolds,and Parke Wright; one niece, Peggy Norris. In 1955 R.C. graduated in the last class of Clinchco High School. He attended Clinch Valley College, received his B.S. Degree in Education from East Tennessee State College, and later, an M.S. Degree from the same institution, plus many post graduate courses. Mr. Hay spent his entire teaching career in the public schools of Dickenson County, VA. He began teaching U.S. History and U.S. Government at Haysi High School becoming Assistant Principal; he served briefly as Principal of Ervinton High School; Director of Title II; served as Administrative Assistant to the superintendent of Dickenson County Schools; and finished his career as Superintendent of Dickenson County Schools retiring in 1988 because of illness. R.C. was a member of his professional organizations (DEA, VEA, and NEA). He served as president of DEA. Mr. Hay served as Chairman of the Salary Committee who won health care insurance for the teachers. Perhaps his proudest accolade was being elected several times as Best Teacher of the Year by the student body of Haysi High School. As a young man, he loved to roam the mountains and gleened knowledge. He enjoyed his woodworking shop. There are still pieces of wood with crooked nails hammered in that Megan drove in as her dad worked. As his health failed, he chose oil painting as a hobby. His subjects were the landscapes and still lifes of these mountains. Mr. Hay was a member of the Clinchco Baptist Church where he taught an adult Sunday School Class for twelve years. He proudly served his country for six years in the United States Army Reserves. R.C. was a strong, kind, gentle, man whose presence is like the trees that grow on these mountains we call home. He will endure in our hearts forever. Visitation with the family will be held 1-3 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2015, at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Dr. Steven Pollard and Rev. Joe Glenn Sluss officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Military honors will be conducted by the Virginia National Guard. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest register. The Hay family is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.