Hayward Steele

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1 Hayward Steele, the youngest of nine children, was born on November 5, 1939, to the late Tom and Lessie Steele. He moved to Beauregard Parish from Alabama with his family in 1949. His father, Tom, worked at Long-Bell Lumber Co. and was a farmer. As a young man, Hayward worked for Big Star Grocery in DeRidder. He graduated from George Washington Carver High School. He went on to attend Southern University as well as McNeese State University. Hayward married his college sweetheart Lula Compton, from LeCompte, in 1961. To this union they had one son, Roderick. After graduation from Southern University, Hayward became a coach at Carver High School. Steele taught in the Beauregard Parish School System for years. He would become the first Black assistant principal at DeRidder High School in 1975, and he later became the first Black principal at DeRidder Junior High School. Hayward led DJHS across two decades until his retirement in 1999. He holds the record for the longest tenure as principal in the history of DJHS. Some other jobs Hayward held during his lifetime was working for Long-Bell, the City of DeRidder Recreation Department as the director of the Northside Swimming Pool, and Boise Southern. For over three decades, Hayward served the city in a Councilman-At-Large seat. He was first elected in 1984 and retired in 2017. His campaign slogan turned political legacy was “Build with Steele.” Hayward served in several leadership roles in educational organizations on state and national levels. In DeRidder, he was active in Sweet Home Baptist Church and was a Deacon and Trustee. He also served in many other civic involvements. Hayward leaves to cherish his memories his lovely wife of 62 years, Lula Compton Steele, his only son, Dr. Roderick L. Steele, Sr and his wife, Patricia, 2 grandchildren, Jasmine Steele Edwards (Kedric) and Roderick L. Steele, Jr., 2 great grandchildren, Cruze Steele and Jalani Edwards, one sister, Anna Bell Broussard, along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. He also leaves to cherish his memories his beloved ‘man’s best friend’, Benji.

Tributes

Hayward Steele

November 5, 1939 - February 25, 2024