Hazel Marie Naylor

Hazel was born on August 10, 1914 in Bryan County, Oklahoma to Andrew Butler Howard and Millie (Crowley) Howard. At the age of 98 years Hazel got her most often asked prayer answered, "Please God let me die in my sleep." She was taken in her sleep in the arms of her granddaughter Susie on February 6th 2013. She attended school in Bryan County. When she was about 13 years old they moved to a farm east of Chickasha, Oklahoma, near the Friend community. In early 1935, while visiting a cousin in the small community of Coffelt, she met a young man named Thaddeus Marvin Naylor nicknamed Hank. They attended a brush arbor revival every night for about a week and he would walk her home each night. Sometime later, she was on a date with someone else at a movie in Chickasha. As they came out, Hank came running up to her and said, "I'm late to catch my ride. I'm on my way to California. Will you marry me when I get back?" as he was running down the street. She said, "Yes I will". They wrote letters to each other while he was in California and upon his return they were married November 30, 1935. At his death they had been married 56 years. Hazel was a very hard worker. Most of her life was spent on the farm where she worked beside Hank in many ways including: ranching, dairy farming, and truck farming. In 1941, with two small children they moved to California to make enough money to buy a farm. Hank worked two shifts a day while Hazel took in laundry and worked in a candy factory. On weekends they peddled oranges on a street corner. They returned in 1946 to spend the rest of their lives in Oklahoma. Hank tried to get her back to California in 1949 to earn more money, but Hazel being an old Okie refused to go back to live with 'prune pickers'. She survived the depression years, the dustbowl days, and the loss of their first baby girl born December 9, 1936, who died December 25, 1936. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Albert, 2 sisters, Ruby and Lucille, her husband Hank and baby daughter, Frieda Mae. Hazel is survived by a son Ben Naylor and wife Willena of Washington, Oklahoma, a daughter Frances Alsup and husband James of Washington, Oklahoma, 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Hazel loved attending her church, Purcell Free Will Baptist. She enjoyed many hobbies including cooking and quilting. Crocheting was one of her best talents. She enjoyed a good laugh and had a full life. She said often," I would not have made it this far if the Lord had not taken care of me and I thank him every day." Graveside Funeral Services were held Saturday, February 9, 2013, at the Hillside Cemetery.

Hazel Marie Naylor

August 10, 1914 - February 6, 2013