Funeral arrangements have been announced for Dr. Elayne Hayes‑Anthony, a trailblazing educator, media professional, and former acting president of Jackson State University, whose passing in early March 2026 has left a profound impact on the JSU community and beyond.
Celebration of Life
The Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium on the Jackson State University campus, 1400 J.R. Lynch Street, Jackson, Mississippi.
The service will be livestreamed via JSUTV’s Facebook and YouTube pages for those unable to attend in person. Overflow seating will be available in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology auditorium.
Attendees should anticipate traffic congestion near the JSU campus, particularly along Lynch and Dalton streets, where officers will direct vehicles before and after the service.
Interment
Following the Celebration of Life, interment will take place at Natchez Trace Memorial Park Cemetery, 759 U.S. 51, Madison, Mississippi.
Remembering Dr. Hayes‑Anthony
Dr. Elayne Hayes‑Anthony was widely admired as a dynamic force in higher education and broadcasting, dedicating decades of her life to advancing excellence in communications and leadership.
A proud Mississippian, she began her professional journey in journalism before turning to education. Education was an arena where she would shape countless lives as a professor, mentor, and later department chair at Jackson State University. Her work inspired a new generation of storytellers to use their voices for truth, justice, and community uplift.
As acting president of JSU, Dr. Hayes‑Anthony brought steady leadership, vision, and compassion to an institution she dearly loved. Her colleagues and students remember her for her candor, grace, and ability to nurture growth in others. It’s a reflection of her deep belief in education as both a calling and a responsibility.
In Tribute
Condolences may be sent to the Hayes‑Anthony Family, P.O. Box 2523, Madison, MS 39130. Flowers are welcomed. Those wishing to continue her legacy may contribute to the Dr. Elayne Hayes‑Anthony Scholarship Fund, created to support students who embody her passion for learning and leadership.
Dr. Hayes‑Anthony’s influence will endure in every student she taught, every voice she cultivated, and every institution she strengthened. Her life stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and the transformative power of education.
