Alma Yvonne Hyde

Alma Yvonne Hyde of Crossville Alabama, died in Madison, Alabama, at Madison at the Range, November 30, 2025 at the age of 90. Yvonne was born at home in Dekalb County, Alabama on December 6, 1934. She grew up on her parents’ farm near Crossville, surrounded by other family farms. From a young age, music was a key part of her life. She especially loved Southern Gospel music and was a talented piano player, playing at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church starting as a young girl and playing in front of large audiences at all-day singings by age 11. Her love of music was passed down to her from her mother, Alma Gilbreath Roden, who played both piano and organ at church and sang in a quartet. Yvonne was also close with her uncle Emmitt Gilbreath, who wrote the well-known Gospel song “Silver and Gold Have I None,” often helping him transcribe his songs, and playing them on the piano. She also loved other kinds of music, especially Big Band Jazz, with favorites including the Glenn Miller Band and crooner Dick Haymes. She and her husband John made sure to see Chet Atkins perform when he came to Alabama. Yvonne was a top student, skipping a grade along the way, and graduated 3rd in her class from Crossville High School in 1952. She married John Joseph Hyde, Sr. on October 11, 1952. Not long after that, she navigated New York City alone with their baby, Joey, en route to join John, who was stationed in Germany for the U.S. Army. They spent 1954-1956 in Gelnhausen and Frankfurt, Germany, one of their big adventures together. After Germany they moved around the South, living in Chattanooga, TN, Rossville, GA, Cleveland, TN, and Thomasville, GA, before settling on land passed down from her mother in Crossville, AL, in the early 70’s. After many years of marriage, she would still blush when John kissed her. They were married for 72 years and were the loves of each other’s lives. Yvonne was a talented cook, known especially for her fluffy biscuits, which she always made sure you ate hot. Her chicken and dumplings were also legendary. She was skilled at traditional Sand Mountain foodways, canning and freezing vegetables at the end of every summer to make sure the family had plenty through the winter. But she was an adventurous eater too, always up to trying new foods and testing out unusual recipes. Everyone was always welcome at her table, and no one ever left hungry. She had hidden talents, like having perfect pitch, singing alto and being able to shoot a target at a distance that surprised her Army-enlisted grandson. She had a mind for genealogy and history. She could tell you who was kin and how, across and between generations. She was a proud member of the Cherokee nation. She loved to keep alive the stories and traditions of those who came before her. Mammy, as she was known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, will be remembered for her loving and non-judgmental nature, her servant’s heart, the way she always let each person know how special they were, and her beautiful smile. She was caring, selfless and always put everyone else's needs above her own. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Joseph Hyde, Sr., her parents, Walter Van Roden and Alma Gilbreath Roden, and brother Jacky V. Roden (Myra). She is survived by her brother, Jerry Lee Roden (Paulette), four children: John Joseph Hyde, Jr. (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 (Jie Wu), Stacey Brown (Nick), Crystal Chandler, Maria Chandler, Hannah Chandler, Sarah Chandler and Lila Chandler, and 9 great-grandchildren: Audrey Simpson (Caylon), Ethan Hope (Lainey), Owen Hope, Tidus Holloway, Kinsley Brown, Katelyn Brown, Cayson Hyde, Riley Hyde, and Zelda Roca-Shah, who will all miss her dearly. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, December 4 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church (Carter) in Crossville. Visitation will be Wednesday December 3rd from 5-8 PM at Crossville Memorial Chapel and Thursday December 4th from 12:00 - 2:00 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist (Carter) Church. The funeral service will be held Thursday December 4th at 2:00 pm at Mt. Pleasant Baptist (Carter) Church. 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.

Alma Yvonne Hyde

December 6, 1934 - November 30, 2025