John Joseph Hyde Sr.

John Joseph Hyde, Sr. of Crossville, Alabama, died at home on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at the age of 93. John was born on March 1, 1931 on Lookout Mountain, near Collinsville, Alabama. He attended a one-room school on Lookout Mountain in first grade, before his parents relocated the family to the Crossville area on Sand Mountain. John would go on to graduate from Crossville High School as Valedictorian of his senior class. He was also Beta Club President. He later enrolled at Jacksonville State Teachers College (what would later become Jacksonville State University), where he completed a degree in Education as a Kappa Phi Kappa in 1954. While at Jacksonville State, he held a job in the dining hall and participated in the Army ROTC program from 1950-54, where he was on the precision drill team, an honor given to only the best among the ROTC. He had a rich life, with experiences serving his country, his community and most of all his family. During his college years, he married Yvonne Roden on October 11th, 1952. One of his proudest moments he always said was when she joined him with their young son, Joey, in Germany where he was stationed in the Army in 1954. After many years of marriage he still had a sparkle in his eye when they were together. She was the love of his life. He served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant, Artillery Battalion, Korean War, peacetime, receiving the Sharpshooter Award, Foreign Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was stationed in Gelnhausen, Germany and Frankfurt from 1954-56. He was a proud veteran and delighted in participating in Veterans Day celebrations at his granddaughters’ high school. After returning from Germany, he taught math and science at Crossville High School for six years. He was a beloved teacher and attended reunions for the classes he taught as long as he was able. His work as a government employee required relocating the family around the South, before they eventually settled in Crossville in the 1970s. John loved books and was one of the founders of the Crossville Public Library. He worked for the Social Security Administration, where he was known by colleagues as a jokester, but called by his boss the hardest worker she had ever seen, retiring after nearly 40 years. Long after his retirement, he continued to take phone calls from friends who trusted his advice about all things Social Security. He taught Sunday School class at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for many years, and was valued by many there for his wisdom and support. His family and friends will remember him for many things, including his ready smile, his hearty laugh, and his jokes. He was an excellent cook, known especially for his fried chicken, okra and cornbread, though he also had other specialties like peanut candy. He loved to build a fire, whether it was a bonfire, the fireplace, or lighting the grill, and was always happy to have a steak on his plate. Coffee was his drink of choice with every meal. Papa, as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was always happy to indulge them with adventures on the farm like letting them ride in his cart pulled behind the lawnmower as he drove. He also kept the family, as well as most of the community, fed with fresh vegetables from his sizable garden, even sending some through the mail to his eldest grandchild when she moved too far away to pick her own tomatoes. He loved the outdoors, especially trips to the beach with Yvonne and their children and grandchildren over the years. He also loved trips to the mountains and going camping and fishing. He had hidden talents, like photography and playing harmonica, and outward ones, like always making everyone feel welcome. His outgoing, friendly personality made him well-loved by everyone. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pleas Elisha Hyde and Emma Caroline Smith Hyde, his brother J.P. Hyde (Berta), and sisters Ruth Hyde (Bill) Jeffress, Martha Hyde (Bill) Mullins and twin sister Maggie Hyde. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Yvonne Roden Hyde, four children: Joey Hyde (Dalida) of Fort Payne, AL, Kathy Roca (José) of Huntsville, AL, Rodney Hyde of Madison, AL, and Kristi Chandler (Chris) of Skirum, AL, ten grandchildren--Eva Roca(Neil Shah), Elena Roca, Wendy Holloway (Blake), Tim Hyde, Stacey Brown (Nick), Crystal Chandler, Maria Chandler, Hannah Chandler, Sarah Chandler and Lila Chandler, and 9 great-grandchildren, Audrey Hope, Ethan Hope (Lainey), Owen Hope, Tidus Holloway, Kinsley Brown, Katelyn Brown, Cayson Hyde, Riley Hyde, and Zelda Roca-Shah, who will all miss him dearly. He especially loved the song “Wayfaring Stranger,” but also used to sing less traditional tunes like “I’ve been Working on the Railroad” as lullabies to help generations of children go to sleep. His funeral will be held on Thursday, December 5 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church (Carter) in Crossville. Visitation will be from 12-2 with the funeral service at 2pm. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant cemetery following the service officiated by Rev. Byron Fricks. Pallbearers will be Jose’ Roca, Chris Chandler, Tim Hyde, Blake Holloway, Nick Brown, & Roger Campbell. Crossville Memorial Chapel Directing

John Joseph Hyde Sr.

March 1, 1931 - November 28, 2024