Hazel Jean Griffin

1949 ~ 2021

Date of Death: March 16, 2021

In profound sadness, the staff of Veasley Funeral Home & Cremations, Inc. want to express our sincere condolences to the Griffin family. Hazel’s earthly temple is now resting in the care of Rowell-Parish Mortuary. Revelations 21:4 says "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Be assured that in the days ahead you will surely gain strength from the memories of Ms. Hazel Jean Griffin.

Sincerely,

Derrick Veasley ~ Director

Henry Veasley ~ Director

Pastor E.C. Maltbia ~ Chaplain

Hazel Jean Griffin was born on Sunday, November 13, 1949 in Texarkana, Arkansas to Levell Nelson and Josephine Hurd. Hazel attended school in Texarkana and later moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas with her mom. As a younger teenager, Hazel was raised by her grandmother, Ethel Pickett and her aunt, Johnnie B. Tyous.

At the age of sixteen, Hazel relocated to Tacoma, Washington to take care of her ailing mother. Upon arrival in Tacoma, her mother passed and Hazel returned to Texarkana to be closer to her grandmother. At this time upon her return to Texarkana, Hazel met the love of her life, Wade Griffin, Jr. together they attended Washington High School, and after graduation Wade, Jr. entered the United States Navy. Upon his return back to Texarkana, they welcomed their daughter, Tosca on Sunday, February 11, 1966.

While Wade, Jr. was away, Hazel worked as a hotel housekeeper. After two years of service in the US Navy, Wade, Jr. returned and he and Hazel were married on Saturday, June 15, 1968. After this union, they welcomed a son, Wade, III Friday, September 4, 1968. Not soon after the birth of Wade, III, Wade, Jr. was drafted into the US Army for the Vietnam War. Hazel relocated with her family to Fort Irwin, California. After Wade, Jr. served two tours of the Vietnam War, he was honorably discharged. The family the returned back to Texarkana, Arkansas. Upon his return, Hazel re-entered the workforce as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at local nursing homes. Hazel and Wade, Jr. welcomed another son, Derrick on Friday, September 3, 1969.

In 1971, Wade, Jr. and Hazel moved the family to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Hazel began working at the Crawford County Hospital as a CNA while attending the Nursing Program. On Saturday, April 29, 1972, Xavier was welcomed to the family. In 1974, Hazel completed the Crawford County Hospital Nursing Program and received her Licensed Practical Nursing Certification. On the morning of Friday, June 9,1978, Wade, Jr. was tragically killed, which caused Hazel to leave her profession and raise her four young children.

Shortly after, Hazel became a member of First Church of God under the leadership of Pastor Frela Chatman where she served faithfully in many auxiliaries. On Monday, March 15, 1982, Hazel welcomed a baby boy, Gabriel. Hazel remained in Fort Smith until 1998 when she moved back to Texarkana to take care of her ailing father and grandmother. She remained there until 2011. Upon her return back to Fort Smith, she united with United Fellowship Ministries pastored by her son, Xavier.

Hazel was a loving, caring, compassionate woman who was willing to help anyone in need. She enjoyed visiting nursing homes and the sick and shut-ins. Hazel enjoyed all aspects of missionary work. She regularly held Bible study and prayer meetings in her home. She loved to share the goodness of the Lord to everyone. Hazel truly loved her children, grandchildren, and friends. She loved to cook and have a good time. Hazel will be greatly missed by all her family friends, and church family.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, grandmother, her son, Derrick and her daughter, Tosca.

Visitation will be Friday, April 2, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Rowell-Parish Mortuary 611 North 9th Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901.

Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Northside Church of God in Christ 4420 Kelley Highway Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904.

Committal service and final resting place will be on Monday, April 5, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Arkansas.