Rest Peacefully, Grandma Hazel

My precious Grandma Hazel passed away in January. I'd say life is too short, but this remarkable woman was actually just one month shy of her 101st Birthday. I wish everyone in the world could have met this classy, sassy, hard working, long-suffering, southern jewel of a woman. She grew up working on a tobacco farm in Tennessee and dominated her high school basketball team. She was even scouted by a professional woman's basketball team. Instead, she bravely traveled to Arizona to work as a "Harvey Girl" for the Santa Fe Railroad. Once she was back in the South, she fell in love with and married a young Methodist minister. She raised my dad and uncle while my grandpa served in the Army in Europe during WWII. She lived a life of travel and religious service and enjoyed membership in the "Red Hat Society." To say she's an inspiration is an understatement. When I was hospitalized as a teenager for several months, she wrote me encouraging letters practically every day, and continued that encouragement throughout my college years, and especially as I've navigated my way through parenthood. She was an impeccable example of motherhood (and grand motherhood, and great grand motherhood). I feel privileged to have her blood running through my veins. She is an angel that will be deeply missed.

My family asked that I write the eulogy for her funeral.  I wasn't able to be there, so it was a blessing to be involved...

Grandma Hazel

Words cannot express what an amazing wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend that Hazel Ross Parr was.  For all of us who were blessed to know and love Hazel, the only things that will truly capture who she was are the warm memories that each of us hold within our hearts.  Today I would like to share a few of those memories with you.
Hazel grew up during the depression and worked on a tobacco farm before striking out on her own to work as a "Harvey Girl" for the Santa Fe Railroad in Arizona.  She went on to marry the late Rev. James Parr and gave birth to two sons.  She raised them while James served in the US Army in Europe during WWII.  The Army took their little family to Texas, Italy, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Holland, and England.  Despite the difficulties of growing up during the depression, raising a family during the uncertain times of war, and the inherent challenges of frequent travel, Hazel was still a happy and graceful woman- full of genuine love and warmth.
Those that love her feel especially nostalgic when remembering how she always smelled like classy perfume.  Her hands were very soft, and she always looked her best, especially when she was going out somewhere, in which case, she would get dolled up, pearls and all.  There are fond memories of Grandma cooking bacon, eggs, and toast in the kitchen at the parsonage.  She always had good taste in men's and women's clothing.  She sent her grandsons very tasteful ties while they were serving missions for their church. Her grandchildren especially loved how she put her son, Lt. Col. Parr in his place, as though he were still a teenager.  She gave the best kisses on the cheek, and soft Grandma hugs.  Hazel's family enjoyed her storytelling of days gone by: Italy, Austria, Texas, the Depression, and WWII.  The Christmases she hosted at the parsonage in Jefferson were perfect, her hospitality and decorations were reminiscent of
Norman Rockwell.  Hazel paid attention to details.  She was known to hide a treasure in the pocket of a new blouse or hand bag that she's send as a gift:  a $20 bill, a pair of earring, a nice compact, perfume, or a new lip gloss.  Her grandchildren learned at a very young age to check all the pockets!  Her home in Jefferson smelled good- like freshly brewed coffee and her perfume.  The home had a wraparound porch in the front, with a swing.  It was so peaceful to lie down and listen to the rain.  Hazel had a little closet where she kept children's books and games to entertain the kids while they stayed with their grandparents.  She also kept a stuffed animal for each of the kids to sleep with during their visits.  Anyone that visited Hazel and Jim felt safe and loved.  She would let her granddaughters take bubble baths in her deep claw footed tub, in her very pink bathroom- pink carpet, pink curtains, pink soaps.  There might have even been pink toilet paper!  And the door knob to the bathroom was made of crystal.
Hazel was a proud woman- in a good way.  She was proud of her family particularly, and she cared deeply about those she loved.  She had an impeccable memory.  When any of her loved ones would speak with her over the phone or in person, the first thing she would do is ask about their wellbeing.  She had a wonderful Southern accent, and referred to her grandchildren as "Beely, Hethah, Dougee, etc."  She never failed to send birthday cards, and she always wrote supportive letters to her loved ones during their times of trial.  Hazel was incredibly knowledgeable about the Bible and truly loved the Lord.  She was a Christian, through and through.  She was a reserved woman, especially when anyone asked her about her life stories.  She always wanted to hear about others.  Even though she was a modest woman, she certainly didn't mince words or withhold her opinion if it mattered to her.  She was absolutely a sassy Southern Belle and an extremely strong woman.  Hazel was traditional in many ways; she enjoyed watching Audrey Hepburn movies and Jeopardy.  But when it came to sports, she was a
trailblazer.  She played basketball in high school at a towering 5'8" tall!  Eighty years later, she was still cheering on "that Lebron kid."  She called her loved ones "dear."  "I love you, dear."  "That's fine, dear."  "All right, dear."  Hazel was an excellent cook.  She loved collecting recipes from cookbooks and women's magazines and spoiling her family with good food.  She even introduced the family to the traditional Southern Red Velvet Cake, which is enjoyed at almost every Parr family birthday.  She always had buttered pecan ice cream in her freezer.  In fact, she enjoyed any recipe with pecans like a good Southern woman should.
The depth of love Hazel had for her boys was overwhelming.  When her son John was nervous before his basketball games in high school, Hazel would prepare him a meal of lean steak & eggs about an hour prior and his stomach would feel much better.  One evening, she arrived early to pick John up from practice and decided to kick off her shoes and shoot some hoops with him.  The other guys were very impressed.  She loved to read and help others.  While John and Tom were still living at home, Hazel volunteered at the local hospital as a "Grey Lady," which is kind of like a Candy Striper.
Hazel loved her family and friends with all of her heart, and many of us loved her just as wholeheartedly, in return.  The grief we are all feeling today is the price we pay for that love.  May this precious, classy, graceful woman rest in peace, and may the love of our Heavenly Father be with all of us.