Charles "Garner" Hayden, Sr. , 79, of Hollywood, MD, died June 15, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, MD, after an eight year battle with cancer. Born in Hollywood, MD on November 14, 1929, he was the son of the late Thomas Alvin Hayden and Dorothy Frances (Garner) Hayden of Hollywood, MD.

He was the loving husband of Mary Lou (Tennison) Hayden whom he married on November 10, 1951 at Holy Face Catholic Church, in Great Mills, MD.

He was the father of Charles G. Hayden, Jr. of California, MD and Robert W. Hayden, and his wife, Kathy, of Baldwin, MD. He is survived by six grandchildren, Nicole Hayden and Steve Walker of Dameron, MD, Britany Hayden of Park Hall, MD, Erin Hayden of Owings Mills, MD, Lauren Hayden of Baltimore, MD, Bobby Hayden of Baldwin, MD and Catherine Hayden of Hollywood, MD. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Adelle Hayden and Lilian Walker. He is survived by his sisters, Caroline Murphy of Hollywood, MD and Louise Hewitt of Fort Washington, MD.

He was predeceased in death by his siblings, Thomas A. Hayden, Jr., William A. (Lefty) Hayden, Regina H. James and by his son Michael A. Hayden.

Garner was a lifelong resident of Hollywood, MD, building his family home on his parent's farm where his neighbors were all family. He was a Charter Member of the Hollywood Lions Club and was currently serving as Treasurer. He was a member of the St. Mary's Amateur Radio Association for many years and was currently serving as Treasurer. He was a Lifetime Associate Member of the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a lifetime member of St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church where he attended grade school. He graduated from Great Mills High School in 1948.

After graduating from High School, he went to work for SMECO as a member of the brush crew. He continued to work for SMECO until June of 1989 when he retired as part of management. Garner loved traveling in his motor home with his wife, being active in his various associations, stuffing hams for the HVFD and talking on his Ham Radios. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren by whom he was affectionately called "Daddy Garner".

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Thursday, June 18, 2009, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, MD, where prayers will be said at 7:00 pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 19, 2009, at 10:00 am at St. John's Francis Regis Catholic Church in Hollywood, MD.Pallbearers will be Joey Tennison and Jack Hewitt who are two of his god-sons, his nephews Steve Murphy, Dale James, Gil James and his grandson, Bobby Hayden. Honorary pallbearers will be his good friends Frank Dean, Charlie Wible, Billy Huseman, Francis Norris, Re-Pete Mattingly, Gene Talley and the Hollywood Lions Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. John's Building Fund or the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.