Zura Mae Hayenga died peacefully September 20, 2021 at Lakeside Assisted Living on Amelia Island, Florida.
She was formerly a long time resident of Annapolis, Maryland. Zura was born on a farm in Piney Flats, Tennessee on September 28, 1938 to George and Lela Torbett, and the youngest of five children.
She graduated from Mary Hughes School in Piney Flats in 1956 and then moved to Washington, D.C. where she met and married her husband. She was a devoted military wife and homemaker for many years.
She had a short career as her children’s high school nurse and then worked as a secretary before retiring.
Zura was an avid flower gardener and cat lover. She loved her cat socks, calico cat ceramics and her many pet cats over the years: Fluffy, Mittens, Spunky, Emmy and most recently, Tiger.
She was a strong woman with a feisty personality. She was the family handyman and kept an organized and spotless home. She was a fan of the Washington Nationals baseball team and loved watching HGTV and going to Red Lobster.
Zura was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Jerome Hayenga, Sr.; son, Jerome Hayenga, Jr.; sister, Annalee McCracken; brothers, Lowell, Raymond and Paul Torbett.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters: Karen Shoopman (spouse Dave Shoopman), Linda Bilger (spouse Don Bilger), Sharla Hurst (spouse Paul Hurst), daughter-in-law Melody Manley, grandchildren: Amy Kemp, Jake Shoopman, Adam Bilger, Taylor Hurst, Blake Bilger, Leah Hurst and Courtney Hayenga, great grandchildren, Olivia and Charlotte Kemp. Zura’s spirit and love will live on in the hearts of her family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her favorite charity: Rude Ranch animal rescue in Harwood, Maryland.

A celebration of life service has been scheduled for 1:00 pm, Saturday, October 9, 2021 in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard Funeral Home on Amelia Island, Florida.
Zura’s final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery with her husband, a 30 year veteran of the Air Force.