Lemar Duval Hayward

The Life of Lemar Duval Hayward LEE-marr HAY-werd /PENNYDAM# Hayward July 14, 1982 - April 27, 2020 Lemar Duval Hayward quietly departed this life on April 27, 2020 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he had been recovering from a 14 hour surgery. Lemar was born to Garland and Mildred Hayward on July 14, 1981. In addition to his parents, he leaves to mourn: his children, Kiyanna Hayward, LeAsia Hayward, Lemar, Jr., and LaVontay Tindley; his brothers, Garland Ramon Hayward of Princess Anne, MD, DeAndre (Shakira) Hayward of Mardela Springs, MD and T’Juan (Danielle) Miles of Salisbury, MD, as well as a host of other relatives including a great-great-great aunt, great-great aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends and Facebook followers. He also leaves to mourn: two special cousins, to whom he looked brothers, Jihad Hayward, who Lemar referred to as G-g-hide and Kendrick Hayward, whom he affectionately called his Little Big Cousin Brother. Lemar’s Story: Lemar was educated in the Somerset County public school system through 5th grade. After leaving Somerset County, he attended the Delmar School District, graduating from Delmar High School in 1999. While at Delmar, Lemar played on the junior varsity and later varsity basketball teams. Though small in stature, Lemar was a true “ball handler.” He also attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) for a brief period. Lemar worked briefly at UMES and later worked at Dove Point in Salisbury, MD, as a Caregiver for thirteen years. Lemar loved taking care of people. He worked with clients with mental and physical challenges, with whom he had a great rapport. Lemar worked at the Garland Hayward Youth Center and was loved by the children and staff at the center, until his health began to fail him. Lemar was also a sports enthusiast and an avid Baltimore Ravens fan. Lemar was Garland and Mildred’s baby boy. At the age of 8, Lemar was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome, a condition that causes verbal and motor tics, and later in life would cause excruciating pain and physical limitations for him. As a little boy, Lemar could do no wrong as far as his big brothers were concerned. Garland, Jr. (Peanut), recanted how as a child when Lemar was left in his care and did something wrong, he could not bear to punish him. Consequently, he would take Lemar’s punishment from his mom and dad for Lemar’s actions. DeAndre (D) recalls one of his last conversations with Lemar, where he said “he wanted him (D) to take him to the MEAC Tournament and then I will walk my kids into McDonalds.” Lemar’s special cousins, Jihad and Kendrick, were very protective of him, and as his mother (Mildred) said, “If you messed with Lemar, you had to deal with Jihad and Kendrick.” Lemar had a special bond with each of his cousins, too many to quote, and they all have a story or stories to tell of something special they did with him. In the last few months of his life, Lemar would cry out in pain and his parents would be there for him, whether it was rubbing him down to ease the pain, feeding or bathing him. His brothers, Peanut and D, would often help him get in the car so he could drive where he wanted to go. Despite his condition, Lemar was an upbeat and positive person. He wanted to remain independent until he could no longer do for himself. Unbeknownst to many, Lemar was often in pain, but never complained. One of his final acts of independence was his ability to drive. He finally relinquished his rights to drive to his dad, brothers and friends. Thank you to anyone who ever assisted him during this time. He always had a positive attitude and could bring a smile to anyone’s face. Lemar was such a blessing and inspiration to so many people. To know Lemar was to love him. Lemar “The Daddy” Lemar was a very loving father. Anyone that knew him, knew that he loved his children (Kiyanna, LeAsia, Lemar, Jr (LJ) and Lavontay (Tay) dearly. Lemar faithfully took his children to school until he could no longer drive. His children knew that they needed only to “pick up the phone and call daddy” and he would be there. When Lemar’s condition prevented him from shopping for himself, his daughters Kiyana and Leasia would take his “list” to the store and pick up the items he needed. Lemar also assisted LJ with his school work during the final days of his life. He and Tay had a bond that was paramount to none. It was nothing to see Lemar’s children pushing him around in his wheelchair in the store or at the mall. LJ would also push him around the house in his wheelchair, or be the messenger if Lemar needed assistance from his parents. Days before his surgery, Lemar would get his dad to drive him to his children’s home just to see and communicate with them. “Daddy” will be sorely missed by his children. Lemar “The PENNYDAM” PennyDam is a self-given “handle” Lemar created to make light of his Tourette syndrome tics. His Little Big Cousin Brother Kendrick recalls that they were sitting in the living room of Garland and Mildred’s house, when during a Tourette tic Lemar said Pen-nen-ne and at the end of it dam_! Upon his dad asking him did he cuss, he said “no daddy that’s the Tourette’s” and he has been PennyDam ever since. If you followed PennyDam’s post, you could expect to see anything from a joke to an inspirational message. Lemar was such a blessing to so many people. One of Lemar’s desires after his surgery was to play basketball again. In his own words, he “couldn’t wait to get back on the courts.” Perhaps his most memorable post is his last post, where he stated he was undergoing his surgery and that “God was going to RESET him so that he could accept his calling and be the man God was calling him to be.” On Monday, April 27, 2020, Lemar received his RESET from God as he walked into his calling and went home to be with the Lord, walking in the heavenly courts. We love you PennyDam! SORROWFULLY SUBMITTED WITH ENDLESS LOVE, THE FAMILY OF THE LATE LEMAR DUVAL HAYWARD PENNYDAM

Lemar Duval Hayward

July 14, 1981 - April 28, 2020