Jessie Key Carr Haden Passes Away
Jessie Haden’s last visit to Miller School during the Historic Garden Week in 2025.
Beloved Miller School teacher and administrator, Jessie Key Carr Haden died November 15, 2025, with family at her side. Born on October 11, 1932, she was a lifelong resident of Albemarle County, where she grew up on her family's dairy farm, Barrackside. She was the daughter of the late George Tompkins Carr and Jessie Wilkinson Carr. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Yates Carr Garnett, Robinette Carr Wingfield, David Wilkinson Carr, and her former husband, John Patterson Haden.
She was a graduate of Lane High School, where she was class president. She earned a BA from Mary Baldwin College, where she later served on the Alumni Board, and held a MEd from the University of Virginia.
Jessie Haden served many roles at Miller School during her 50+ year career.
Jessie spent her career as an educator, first as a classroom teacher in the Albemarle County Schools, and later, during a forty-year association with The Miller School of Albemarle, as a classroom teacher, Chair of the History Department, founder and Director of the Community Service Program, Director of Admissions, and ultimately Dean of Students. For ten years, Ms. Haden served on the Albemarle County School Board. She chaired the board for six years.
She was a member of Tabor Church in Crozet, where she served on the session and twice served as Elder. She was a recipient of the Samuel Miller Award as well as The Distinguished Alumni Award from Mary Baldwin College. For the past seven years, she was a resident and devoted community member of the Martha Jefferson House, where she also served on the board.
She is survived by her children, George Allen Haden (Carol) of Flagstaff, Arizona, Patterson Haden Cunningham (Allen) of Greenwood, Virginia, and Jesse Wilkinson Haden (Kandis) of Old Town Alexandria. She had six grandchildren: Emmet Patterson Haden, Curtis Sinclair Haden, Carolyn Haden Cunningham, John Carr Haden, Thomas Wilkinson Key Cunningham, and Wyatt Francis Haden. She had multiple nieces and nephews- all of whom she deeply loved- plus a legion of former students who continue to look to her for guidance and inspiration.
She made her farm and home, "Haden Hills" in Batesville, a sanctuary for family and provided gracious hospitality to all friends and travelers. She could also hit a baseball farther than most men, was a crack shot, and loved her John Deere tractor.
Jessie cherished her friendships, many that spanned decades. She would advise holding on to your friends no matter the distance or the effort.
A Memorial Service and reception will take place Saturday, November 22, 2 pm, at the Miller School of Albemarle, Old Main. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Miller School or the Employee Christmas Fund at the Martha Jefferson House.