Hazel Smith

Hazel M. Smith, 86, died on Friday, March 8, 2013, at Banner Heart Hospital in Mesa, Arizona. She was born May 31, 1926 in Durant, Oklahoma, to Rufus and Iva Doss. She and her five siblings were raised in southeastern Oklahoma and East Texas. In 1961, Hazel moved to Ajo, Arizona where she lived for the next 45 years. She spent several years working at the New Cornelia Hospital as a housekeeper, where she was well known for singing while cleaning rooms and offices in the hospital. Hazel was a long time member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Ajo, and the Desert Music Club, where she enjoyed singing in the Choir, and with various groups. Hazel loved to cook, and was always ready to plan meals and cook for various functions. She was often tasked with planning and preparing meals for church functions, such as funeral dinners, revivals, and church reunions. She was a behind the scenes supporter of Ajo Volunteer Fire Department and Why Fire District, where she cooked food for several open house events, and New Years parties, and provided the first flag for Ajo Fire Departments flagpole. Both Fire Departments enjoyed her Firehouse Chili whenever she made it for them. After a short illness, she lived in Mesa for about a year before moving to Safford with her daughter and son-in-law in 2007. She was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Safford. Hazel is survived by her daughter, Sonja (Pastor Mike) Watkins of Safford; daughter, Carmelita (Henry) Locke of Payson, AZ; son, Roy (Francine) McDonald of Mesa, AZ; son, Jim (Carolyn) McDonald of Texas; sister, Rae Burris of Texas; sister-in-law Barbara Doss; 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by parents, and her husband Donald Smith. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Mike Watkins of the First Southern Baptist Church of Safford, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2013, with a viewing one hour prior to services. Interment will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2013 at the Ajo Cemetery.