Miss Hazel, as she was called by many, died Tuesday, March 16, and was buried on Saturday, March 20, at Union Methodist Cemetery.
Hazel was very active in her church life. She attended First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, even before it moved from its previous location where the city’s fire station stands now.
“She was one of the original members,” said Eloise Crossley, director of Senior Adult Ministries at FBC. “She was the one who encouraged my husband and myself to become senior adult directors. She was always such an encouragement to the church, her family and us. She was 97 and she remained active up to the past few years. Even within the past few years, she went on some of our senior retreats with us. She would quote some of her poetry as we were traveling.”
Poetry was just part of the artistic nature of Hazel.
“She liked to listen to and play music,” said Crossley. “Her living room was full of musical instruments. She could play the piano. Even in her 90’s she bought a dulcimer and learned how to play it.”
Hazel always looked for beauty in the world.
“She could find value in something that somebody threw away. When they were renovating the original church, she found an offering plate that was in a stack of stuff that was to be thrown away and she took it and restored it and that was one of her treasures,” Crossley said.
Another one of her treasures was her antique house near the square in Jacksonville. She called it “Hearthstone” and it now sits atop a pine covered hill, a beautiful sight with a lake filled with fish, an old fashioned red barn, with ducks, guineas, hens and roosters roaming the yard.
“One of the best memories I have of her is eating watermelon in a gazebo out by her lake,” said Crossley. “The chickens and ducks were running all around the lake. She was elegant but she still liked the simple things.”
Hazel was also the owner of a dress shop. Her lifetime love of fashion took her from dress shop to dress shop in Jacksonville, Anniston and Oxford.
“She was probably the most elegant Southern Belle I have ever known, from the way she talked and acted to the way she dressed,” said Crossley. “She was always dressed from top to bottom with everything matching. She was well known for her hats; She wore hats all the time and all of them always matched her outfits. She will be remembered for her hats.”
Toward the end of her life, Hazel moved to Ladiga Manor. She was the oldest member there and took her unique take on life with her.
“I called her ‘The Ladiga Lady,’” said Brandy Williams, manager at Ladiga Manor. “She was just awesome. People will remember her good spirit. She was always dressed to the max. She always got up and got dressed perfectly for the day.”
Hazel always enjoyed a good party or get-together.
“She was always ready for a party or a gathering, any reason for people to gather together,” said Crossley.
The Ladiga Manor’s activities were a great way for her to continue her parties.
“She was very active up until the end,” said Brandy. “She was always at all of our activities. She was always uplifting to all the residents. She would always encourage others to come and join her in the activities. She was always positive about everything.”
In the end, Hazel wanted to share her outlook on life with others. As her last request she asked that in lieu of flowers, those who were touched by her life to plant a rosebush in her memory; write a sentimental poem or put on your finest lace and velvet with a hat and go to a party!
“She was a lady ahead of her time,” said Brandy.
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