Roll Call Tribute

Stephen Marcus Hayden 

December 28, 1954 - February 14, 2024 

Steve was the third of four sons born to Reverend Glenn Hayden and his wife, Bertha. He was born in Paris, Texas on December 28th, 1954. 

He started drawing buildings when he was about 12 years old and fell in love with the construction business when he had a front row seat to the building of a new church in his father's ministry. 

He discovered that he was fast and began to be very competitive in track meets throughout Dallas County. He graduated from Mesquite High School in 1973 and was recruited to run track at Ouachita University. After one year he knew he had to transfer in order to prepare for a future in architecture and design, so he transferred to Texas A & M University and became a proud Aggie. Steve graduated 2nd in the school of Architecture while earning two degrees in 1977.

Steve married Juanita Jackson in 1980 and they soon moved to Sarasota, Florida where he built resort condominiums and commercial construction. He moved his growing family to Columbia, South Carolina where he soon started his own custom home building company. Over the years he received many awards for his home designs, and became an active part of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, SC. He participated in overseas Partnership Missions, taught youth Sunday School for years. He also volunteered in the College Ministry and influenced a number of young people. He was incredibly proud of his four creative children and enjoyed watching them participate in their sports and other activities.

His life took a sharp turn in 2009 when he fell from a height of almost 40 feet and sustained multiple injuries including a broken back and traumatic brain injury. With hundreds of people praying faithfully, Steve was again able to walk on his own and eventually designed and built a few more homes. 

Steve is survived by his wife Juanita; children Jessica Webster and her husband Bob, Stephen Hayden and his wife Danelle, Preston Hayden and his wife, Stephanie, Sandra Pepin and her husband Mark; Grandchildren Adelaide, Amelie, Luc and Hugo Pepin, and Quinn and Reese Hayden; His brothers David Hayden and his wife Myra, and Jon Hayden and his wife Rhonda.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rev Glenn Hayden and Bertha Fogle Hayden and brother Ronald Wood Hayden.

He will be remembered for his wit, humor and inquisitive nature and although we grieve, we do not grieve like those who have no hope because we know that he is with the Lord.

A celebration of his life will be held in Boyce Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina at 10:00 AM on March 9, 2024. Visitation will follow the service in Ellis Hall of First Baptist Church.