Remembering Hazel

Hazel in Her Teens   
Blanche Bowermaster,  Hazel Marrs, Mabel Bowermaster, Hallie Keithley and Rafie Crawford.

Hazel Lee (Townsend) Marrs Barr: December 4, 1920 - February 28, 2012

Visitation: Saturday March 3, 2012 from 10:00 to 12:00 at Clarendon Missionary Baptist Church, Clarendon, Arkansas
Service: Saturday March 3, 2012 at 1:30 P.M. at Clarendon Missionary Baptist Church, Clarendon, Arkansas
Burial: Crockett’s Bluff Cemetery, Crockett’s Bluff, Arkansas


Obituary:
at Houston House Nursing Home, Houston, MO.  She was the daughter of Jeff and Alice Murphy Townsend. She spent her childhood with her family moving up and down White River on a houseboat. Her father was a commercial fisherman and woodsman. Hazel was one of six children, four of who precede her in death along with her parents.

As a young mother.

Hazel married Herman Marrs in 1935 at Crockett’s Bluff where they made their home. To this marriage, four children were born; Joe, James, Glenn and Jeanie.

Hazel will be remembered as a great mother. She was a Christian and joined the Crockett’s Bluff Baptist Church shortly after her marriage. She was faithful in attending along with her children and husband. Hazel taught a Sunday school class there for many years..

Hazel was a very productive mother; she worked hard with her husband to help insure the family had all their needs. She worked in the fall of the year picking cotton along with her children. When the wild pecans in the river bottoms fell, they picked them up to help pay for school supplies. During duck season, Hazel would pick and clean ducks each day to help through the winter and Christmas. She sewed all the families’ clothes and quilts. She sold the duck feathers and the rest she would make wonderful pillows and feather beds.

She raised her family during the depression and post war hard times. Hazel always raised a large garden each year, fattened hogs to eat, made her own soap and rendered her cooking lard.

With a Sunday School Class: Sept. 1955

In the late 50’s, Hazel went to work at the local shoe factory and later worked as a nurse’s aide at the hospital. She worked many years sitting with the elderly in their homes. Hazel also volunteered at the senior citizens center and was a member of the ladies American Legion.

Hazel sold her home in Crockett’s Bluff and moved to Clarendon living close to her sister. She joined the Clarendon Missionary Baptist Church.

Hazel will be remembered for her kindness and giving heart.

Note: I have Hazel's daughter Jeanie (Marrs) Vasseur to thank for forwarding this obituary and for the pictures. DPW