The Reverend Robert Talmadge “Tal” Haynes, Jr. ’48 died Monday, Aug. 26, 2013, at Hospice House near his home in Charlottesville. Tal’s memorial service was in Atlanta, Ga. Tal was born July 26, 1926, in Winnsboro, S.C. He graduated from Davidson College in 1949 and Union Theological Seminary in 1953. After his graduation from seminary, he served as pastor of several Presbyterian churches including First Presbyterian in Lexington from 1957 until 1968. In addition to Lexington, he was pastor at churches in Fayetteville, Atlanta, Ga., Jacksonville, Fla., and Bethesda, Md.
After retiring from the ministry, Tal went on to serve another 21 years as director of development for Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville, Va. Although instrumental in many Hospice of the Piedmont projects, he was most proud of his work in helping establish Hospice House where so many have now spent their final weeks. At age 85, his last undertaking with Hospice of the Piedmont saw him author the book “Sharing the Journey: The First Thirty Years of Hospice of the Piedmont,” which was published in 2011.
Tal is survived by his wife, Barbara Chamberlain, and his children, Bob (Kim) Haynes of Suwanee, Ga., Gayle (Dan) Page of Atlanta, Ga., and Janet Watts of Jacksonville, Fla., all from his first marriage to Mittie Haynes. He will be missed and lovingly remembered by six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and countless others he impacted during his many years of service.
Memorial gifts will be gratefully accepted by Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville VA 22911.