Rochelle

Violet Marie Hay, 82, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Generations at Neighbors Nursing Home, Byron, Illinois. Violet was born on May 17, 1940 to Samuel Wesley and Hassie Leigh (Rogers) Coleman in Boydton, Virginia. Samuel and Hassie had five children: Wesley, Garnet, Ruby, Lilla and Violet. She graduated from Bluestone High School in Boydton, VA. She met the love of her life at a dance in Norfolk, VA, Robert Hay, who was stationed in Norfolk while in the Navy. She and Robert wrote letters back and forth for six months. Then on July 6, 1957, they married at Fields Methodist Church in Clarksville, VA. They moved to Illinois, lived in Rockford for two years before moving to Rochelle, IL and starting their family. Connie Marie was born on February 28, 1963 and then fours years later, Craig Thomas on March 15, 1967.

Violet became the church secretary for 20 years at St. Paul Lutheran Church. In April of 1991, Robert retired and so did Violet. In December 1991, Robert and Violet moved to Maryville, TN, where they built their new home with the view of the Smokey Mountains. They lived there for seven years but decided they really wanted to be close to family. So in October of 1998, they moved back to Rochelle and enjoyed being around friends and family.

Violet is survived by her husband of 65 years, Robert James Hay of Rochelle; daughter, Connie (James) McAnly of Rochelle; son, Craig (Krystal) Hay of Byron, IL; four grandchildren: Corinne (James) May of Milliken, CO, Sarah (Gabriel) Miller of Independence, IA, Daniel McAnly and Linda McAnly both of Rochelle; two great grandchildren: Arielle and Liam May with great grandson, Killian expected in April; her sister, Lilla Farner of Maryville, TN; little brother/nephew, Bennie (Sandy) Coleman of Chesapeake, VA; nephews: Garry (Kim) Farner, Jerry (Kim) Farner and Randall Farner; nieces: Fleeta (Sam) West, Lisa King, Jalonda Coleman and Michelle Anderson (Ronnie) Whitby; many great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Samuel and Hassie, Violet was preceded in death by two brothers: Wesley and Garnet and sister, Ruby.

The visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M., Sunday, January 22, 2023 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, January 23 at the funeral home with Pastor Gregory Hoffmann officiating. Burial will follow the service at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle. Memorials may be made in Violet's memory to St. Paul Lutheran Church or Serenity Hospice and Home. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.