Garden of Memory Cemetery

Colbert, Bryan County, Oklahoma

© Cunningham Funeral Homes Oklahoma
Submitted by: Martha Reddout

Hazel Marie Johnson Grubbs

September 14, 1939 ~ February 5, 2022

Hazel Marie Johnson Grubbs, age 93, a long time Denison, Texas resident, entered into rest on April 14, 2022, in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Hazel Grubbs had the spirit of a servant. She was always ready to reach out and help her fellow man. She always put the needs of others before her own needs. Whether providing for her family, her church, or the various charities that asked her to knock on doors in the neighbor in order to raise money for their causes. Only God know how many lives she touched. She was constantly supporting her family by cooking, sewing, washing, ironing, and couponing in order to stretch a dollar. She was a great cook, a loving mother, and an excellent help mate. During the 70’s and the 80’s, with an old manual typewriter she built the weekly church bulletin for every “Sunnyside Baptist Church” service. Hazel loved to serve. In Denison, Texas from 1959 to 2012, she a member of either “Sunnyside Baptist Church” or the “Unity Missionary Baptist Church.” Since October 2012, she attended Roman Catholic services with her family in Arizona and Florida.

Hazel was not a big talker so all the information about her childhood was borrowed from documents that Sam and Brenda Johnson uncover when they emptied Hazel’s house in order to sale it. The documents included pictures and respectful notes from her former students. Hazel expressed her love by action, by doing, not by words. Her conversations were about whomever she was talking to, not about her. She was an encouraging listener not only for her family but for everyone.

On September 22, 1928, Hazel Marie Johnson was born in Lexington, Oklahoma to Evan Penn Johnson and Beulah Ann Hubbard Johnson. Her brother Iva (Ivy) Bryant Johnson was almost 14 years older than her. Between Ivy and Hazel there were five children who went to be with the LORD before their second birthday. When Hazel was nine, when her mother went to her eternal rest. At 12, the LORD sent Hazel a new mom, Hattie Lou Nolan Johnson. Hattie provided the mother’s love and care that she needed. She also taught Hazel how to cook and to cook very well.

The family moved to Cobb, Oklahoma where Hazel attended school. During her school years, she received at least four certificates (for four years) for never being absent or tardy during the school year, three awards (that’s three years) from the “Honor Society,” and a lot of excellent grades. During high school, she held several elected student council offices including class president her senior year.

During her college years, she distinguished herself by earning the dean’s honor roll. In 1949, at 21, she graduated from “Southeastern State College” now “Southeastern State University” in Durant, Oklahoma, with a bachelor of science in “Elementary” and “Business” education.

After college, she taught elementary school in Banks, Arkansas for two years (49-51). Then she moved to Lenna, Oklahoma where she taught elementary school for two years (51-53). She then moved to Hastings, Oklahoma where she taught business education classes at “Hastings High School” for three years (53-56).

During her summer months off from teaching, Hazel’s passion was traveling. She would often drive to Oregon to visit her brother Ivy, her sister-in-law LaVerne, and their 11 children (Leona, Ellie, Ethel, Wendy, Bonnie, Dorothy, Daniel, Thelma, Becky, Wilma, and Sam.) Hazel loved those children very much.

While working at “Hastings High School” and studying for her master’s degree at “Midwestern University,” Wichita Falls, Texas, she took her civil service exam and left the education field. She became a bookkeeper for “Perrin Air Force Base,” commissary in Sherman, Texas, for 5 years (56-61). While working at “Perrin Air Force Base” she married and had a baby. She actually stopped working there in 1960 but they paid her for an addition year thinking that she would return to work after her baby was a year old.

As I said, sometime during her time at Perrin Air Force Base, she married and had a baby. Hazel first met Billie Wilson Grubbs when she had her car serviced at a local garage. Sometime later, a mutual friend arranged a blind date for Hazel and an insurance salesman who was a widower. Hazel recognized the insurance salesman as the mechanic. Hazel and Billie were married on February 9, 1959. Hazel became the mother of three boys Billy Dale (12 years old), Larry Don (9 years old), and Terry Doyle (3 years old). Ten and a half months later, they welcome another son David Wayne. Hazel became a full time Homemaker. The family settled down in Denison, Texas to raise their boys. Hazel Provided guidance, direction, and a strong Christian foundation to her children by example while working night and day. On Sundays the family would travel to Calera Oklahoma to visit Billie’s parents and Hazel’s parents. While Hazel and Grandma Hattie would cook and visit, Billie and Grandpa Evan would discuss religion and politics for hours, often disagreeing but always with respect. During the weekdays, after work, Hazel and Billie would often go fishing. Billie fished and Hazel read. Later on, almost every night, Hazel and Billie would go to a coffee shop (Dairy Queen) and visit their friends. The family vacationed in Arkansas, the Texas Gulf Coast, New Mexico, and made many trips to Fort Worth, Texas. Hazel and Billie traveled to Alabama to visit their son Don, daughter-in-law Janice, and their grandchildren Brian, and Eric. They traveled to old Mexico to visit their son David, and their daughter-in-law Esther, and grandson Evan. In 1989, after 30 years of marriage, Billie went to be with the LORD.

After Billie’s death, Hazel began to volunteer as a teacher’s aide in a local elementary school (Golden Rule). She also began to travel again with her friends. She and LaVerne also visited Hazel’s nieces and nephews throughout the country, she also made trips to Washington DC, Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Branson, Missouri, Hawaii, Florida, and many other places.

In 2012, Hazel moved in with David, Esther, and their three children Evan, Anna, and Hazel. David and his family loved and cared for Hazel until today.

Hazel is survived by Billy Dale’s wife Susie their sons Shane, Jason, and Bill Gregory. Don’s wife Janice and their sons Brian and Eric. Terry, his wife Christine, and their children Sarah, Rachael, Andrew, and Elizabeth. David and his wife Maria Esther and their children Evan, Anna, and Hazel. Numerous great grandchildren. All of whom Hazel loved very much.

Hazel is preceded in death by her husband Billie Wilson Grubbs, sons Billy Dale Grubbs, and Larry Don Grubbs

Hazel is survived by Dale’s wife Susie their sons Shane, Jason, and Bill Gregory. Don’s wife Janice and their sons Brian and Eric. Son, Terry, his wife Christine, and their children Sarah, Rachael, Andrew, and Elizabeth. Son, David, his wife Maria Esther and their children Evan, Anna, and Hazel. Numerous great grandchildren. All of whom Hazel loved very much.

She was a wise, and loving woman and a great mother. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

Service will be at “Cunningham Funeral Home,” Colbert, Oklahoma on April 26, 2022, at 11:00, visitation will be at 10:00 prior to services. The Reverend Terry Grubbs officiating. Hazel will be laid to rest in the “Garden of Memories Cemetery,” Colbert, Oklahoma.