Hazel Glorene Smith died Tuesday, June 23 after battling pneumonia. Hazel was born in Paulding, Ohio on February 12, 1915. She was the daughter of the late Ivory Fackler and Sadie Fackler. Hazel was a strong believer in the Lord, a loving mother and grandmother, and a master of dominos; she was blessed with an amazing vigor for life.
Hazel was always a shining example to her family as a woman who knew and served the Lord. You could find her reading through the scriptures and praying every morning. Hazel was always composed with a great faith in God and quiet peace from Him. Hazel's grandson Joshua said, "Grandma was the greatest prayer warrior I've ever known and she did more damage to the kingdom of darkness from her rocking chair than most evangelists could do in a lifetime." Hazel was a faithful member of the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) where she taught children about the Bible and God's love. She remained a faithful benefactor to CEF all her life. Her daughter Glorene said, "Many of the children she led to Christ are welcoming her into heaven." Smith left a legacy of Christ to all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Hazel fell in love and married Arthur Smith at a young age. Their love was unyielding through several family moves, employment successes, business failures, times of war and even the death of a child. As the mother of five children, Hazel always did anything she could to care for her family. Her daughter Irene remembers her mother's hospitality. "She cooked and froze food, and canned, and canned, and canned: fruit, pears, and even meat." Her son Paul Smith said, "She was deeply concerned about the details of each child's life." Hazel continued to show that same love to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as she enjoyed reading to them and spending time with them. Her grandson Jimmy remembers the homemade cookies that Grandma always kept in the freezer just in case her grandchildren came by.
She loved to have dear ones near her to play games like Uno, Skipbo, Rook and Train at her table, but friends and family know that dominos is the game she enjoyed most. As a math wiz with artful strategy there was rarely a dominos match played that she didn't win. Smith was a true competitor in anything she did and passed that competitive nature on to her children. Through the competition at the game table her smiles and abundant laughter will always be remembered.
Hazel possessed an unyielding determination and vitality her whole life. She learned to be tough at a young age with her earliest memory being a move across the U.S. in a covered wagon. She understood the value of a long day's work and she fought for strength. Her independence and willpower had her jumping rope with her grandkids in her 80s, push mowing her yard and tending her garden until the age of 92, and living and walking independently up until just 4 months before her death. She attributed much of her good health to her long walks to work and to the grocery store and bus stop in Wichita, Kansas. Even in her last days her strong heart tirelessly fought against pneumonia.
On Christmas Eve 2012 Hazel prayed this prayer aloud, "Thank you Lord for preparing us a heavenly home that we know will last forever." Her family rests knowing that Hazel is in heaven and they celebrate her long life lived extremely well.
Hazel is survived by her daughter Irene Smith, her daughter and son-in-law Glorene & Charles Houser, her son and daughter-in-law Paul & Joy Smith, her daughter-in-law Debby Smith, her five grandchildren, and her 11 great-grandchildren.
She is predeceased by her parents Ivory & Sadie Fackler, her husband Arthur Smith, her daughter Patsy Smith, her son Steve Smith and her siblings Mildred Keen, Zella McDaniel, Buford Fackler, Buelah Fredrick, Clois Fackler and Joe Fackler.
A graveside service will be held in Wichita, KS on Thursday, June 25 at 2 P.M.