Elijah "Poppa" Hayward, Jr., the son of Elijah "Bubba" & Sylvia (Fenderson) Hayward, was born on Tuesday, July 20, 1971 in Huntington, New York. "Poppa" was a lifelong resident of Elkton and was educated in the St. Johns County School District (1989 graduate of St. Augustine High School). He also attended Florida Community College Jacksonville (FCCJ). He was united in marriage to Milcah Tucker on Saturday, February 24, 2001. He was an entrepreneur of Hayward's Farm Laborers and Milx Trucking Company. He was an avid motorcyclist and served as Vice President of the "207 Burnerz" Motorcycle Club. He was affiliated with First Baptist Church of Armstrong. "Poppa" was a loving and devoted father. He was a "gentle giant" who led the club by being a positive example and earned the respect of his colleagues. He was known for his love, leadership, and generosity. On Monday, January 16, 2012, "Poppa" joyfully participated in the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., festivities in Palatka with his family and his "207 Burnerz" extended family. At the end of the day's journey, "Poppa" entered the sunset of life at 6:31 p.m. at Putnam Community Medical Center as a result of injuries sustained earlier in a motorcycle accident on 18th & Washington Street in Palatka. "Poppa" was preceded in eternal rest by his parents; brother, Timothy Boykin; maternal grandparents, Thad & Bessie (Hackney) Fenderson; paternal grandparents, James & Gertrude (McKnight) Hayward. Those who will forever cherish the memories; loving wife of nearly 11 years, Milcah Hayward, Elkton; stepmother, Sheila Hayward, St. Augustine; four sons; Darrell (Melissa) Williams, Jacksonville; Izez Hayward and Mantoris Hayward, both of Elkton; Triston Hayward, Palatka; daughters; LaQuisha (Clement) Doby, Gainesville; T'niyah (Casimir) Philemond, Elkton; Yolanda Patterson, Palm Coast; D'Andra Tucker, Elkton; sisters; Wanda Hayward, Palatka; Teressa Boykin, Elkton; brothers; Minister Carlos (Tanae) Hayward, Fleming Island; Terrance (Temika) Mercer, Jacksonville; Jason Chandler, El Paso, Texas; Christopher Hayward, St. Augustine; 11 grandchildren, Alkileya McCall, Alphonso McCall, Patrick Conyers, Clement Doby Jr., Daniya Tucker, Casimir "C.J." Philemond, Tymir Philemond, Diamond & Pearl Williams (twins), Jerrica Williams, Kenya Jenkins; goddaughter, Tralisa Verdell, East Hastings; aunts & uncles, Shirley (Henry) Simon, Palm Coast; Rochelle (Edward) Singleton, Hastings; Dorothy (Collie) Roberts, Palatka; Emily Smith, Calvin Fenderson, Lewis (Norma) Hayward, all of Jacksonville; Lorenzo (Colleen) Hayward, Orlando; Willie James (Evon) Hayward, Armstrong; step grandparents, Lorenzo & Catherine Mercer, Philadelphia, PA; mother-in-law, Mary H. Tucker, Hastings; father-in-law, James E. Tucker, Hastings; a host of great aunts, great uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, other relatives, the "207 Burnerz" and countless friends. Visitation of family and friends will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 20, at First Baptist Church, 6370 Armstrong Road, Elkton, Reverend Alphonso Harvey, Pastor. Homegoing Celebration will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21 at the W.E. Harris Community Center, 400 East Harris Street, Hastings. Minister Carlos Hayward, of Greater Refuge Ministries, Jacksonville, is the eulogist. The cortege will assemble 10:20 a.m. Saturday at the Hayward family residence, 5935 SR 207, Elkton. Interment will be in Hayward family's plot Armstrong Cemetery, Elkton.