La Pearl Haynes

Mrs. Haynes was born in Gallatin, Tennessee, where she graduated from Union High School. She later married her high school sweetheart, Rev. Roosevelt Haynes.

Mrs. Haynes’s extensive educational achievements include a B.S. in Biology from Tennessee State University (1955), an M.S. in Zoology from Marquette University (1957), an M.S. Ed. in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at Fredonia (1973), and an M.S.W. with a concentration in Health, Handicaps, and Disabilities from the State University of New York at Buffalo (1988).

As a professional, Mrs. Haynes held positions as a Family Education Teacher in Northport, AL, Adult Developmental Social Worker in Perrysburg, NY, Equal Opportunity Program Coordinator at SUNY Fredonia, NY, and Student Teacher Supervisor for the SUNY Fredonia Education Department. She also worked at the Farnham Day Care Center in Farnham, NY, the Chautauqua Day Care Center in Fredonia, NY, and a Migrant Day Care Center in Dunkirk, NY. She culminated her career at the Adult Resource Center in Fredonia, NY.

A woman of strong Christian faith, Mrs. Haynes touched the lives of many with her wisdom, kindness, and generosity. She especially demonstrated these admirable qualities in her service to the First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk, where she was an active member who served in many capacities, including as a member of the Session, Deacons, and Women’s Guild. She also participated on a number of committees, such as the Worship and Music Committee and Pastor Nominating Committee. She enjoyed working with the church’s youth group, and for several years, she participated in the church’s evening worship service. Members who seldom attended church were not beyond the reach of her care as she stayed connected with them through cards, phone calls, and visits.

Mrs. Haynes’s dedicated service extended to the community as she worked with the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, where she regularly helped serve lunches at the organization’s soup kitchen. She was also an active member of the local chapter of the NAACP, and she helped raise money for the American Cancer Society.

As an avid Buffalo Bills fan, Mrs. Haynes enjoyed watching their games on television and discussing team stats with friends. She also loved bird watching.

Mrs. Haynes moved back to Tennessee near the end of her life to be close to family. She continued to inspire and spread joy to those around her at her final residence at a nursing care facility in Hendersonville, TN. Even as an elderly woman, she could be found in the gym exercising, attentively watching birds on the grounds, or wheeling herself through the halls, greeting people as she passed. Her room was a space where she often calmly offered words of wisdom and encouragement to staff and residents alike.

Mrs. Haynes is survived by her son, Terrence Haynes; daughter, Dr. Rosetta Haynes (Stephen Mead); and sister, Lester Mae Hill. Terrence is an educator in Tennessee. Rosetta is a retired English professor who taught at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. Lester Mae is a retired nurse. Mrs. Haynes was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Roosevelt Haynes, her parents, and one brother. She has three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 from 11 am-1 pm at Johnson & Coleman Funeral Home, 723 Anthony St., Gallatin, TN. The funeral service is at 1 pm. A graveside service will follow at 3 pm at Sumner Memorial Gardens, 420 Albert Gallatin Road, Gallatin, TN.