Vernon Frederick Hazel

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Vernon Frederick Hazel who passed away surrounded around family on February 13, 2022 in Katy, Texas.

Vernon Frederick Hazell, was born on 1st April 1953, in Challengers Village, St. Kitts. He came into the world as a bouncing baby boy and his three older sisters, Gladys, Rita (Hildred) and Olivia welcomed him with joy, wonder and awe. We experienced the same feelings when his three other siblings, Whilma, Clyde, (Oswald) and Claudia (Claudie) arrived. Vernon grew up as a happy, contented child who was very well cared for by his mother, Lilian Agatha Garnette Hazell and his father William Henry Garnette Hazell. At the age of three he started to attend the Methodist preschool in the village which was also known as Small School. At the age of five he entered Trinity Elementary School, which was also known as Big School.

Growing up in Challengers Village he was able to roam the countryside in our area with the other boys. They would pick the fruits in season, climb the hills, shoot at birds with their catapults and spend long hours picking whelks from the rocks and grapes from the trees which grew on the seashore. He loved poetry and would often recite poems at home which he learnt in each class.

He was a gifted artist. He painted beautiful sceneries and his artwork is amazing. There is a painting at his parents’ former home in Estate Whim, St. Croix and when you look at it, it’s as if you are at the very place which he painted. He won a prize for one of his artwork that was hanging in the public library.

He was a graduate of Saint Joseph High School class of 1972 and University of the Virgin Islands. In 1977 he married the love of his life Thelma J Mills and in 1978 their son Hasani was born. Vern was very excited about the birth of his son and took him to the beach and the woods often along with his nephew Kurtney Smith. They were very adventurous. In 1982, he moved his family to Texas. He loved Texas for being huge and its open spaces, education and personal growth opportunities.

In Texas, Vern joined the Air Force Reserves and shortly after his daughter Thema was born in 1988.. Like his son, she was the apple of his eye. In 2008, Yasmin, first of his granddaughters was born and four months later Tessa. Not even Hurricane Ike couldn’t stop this family from all the joy. In 2010, third granddaughter Zamira was born. He was over the moon! He made it a priority to always make vacations and plans to travel that include their granddaughters. That is why the girls say ,”Grandpa always says yes”.

Vern worked for the Harris County Hospital(Ben Taub) in the Laboratory Department for twenty years , where he made many friends and enjoyed working in the chemistry department and other areas. He was never too busy to help others. His kindness and quiet intelligence and love of music and art made him unique and loved.

We shall miss Vernon. Although the family was separated by land and sea, he was only a call or text message away from his sisters, brother and friends. Especially, his sister Rita who would ask him for advice about computers and he would tell her what to do; including, sending her printer inks, data sticks and flash drives. May his soul rest in peace.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents William and Lilian Hazell and Gladystine Smith sister

Vernon is survived by his loving wife Thelma J. Mills-Hazel, children Hasani Hazel and Thema J

Hazel; grandchildren:Yasmin and Zamira Hazel and Tessa L. Lanier.

Vernon Sisters Hildred Joseph (St. Kitts),Olivia S. Riviere (St. Croix), Whilma Hazell-Pope

(St.Croix),Claudia Hazell Batiste (FL) Brother: Clyde Lisimba Hazell (GA)

Nieces; Beverly L. Smith, Ashaki Hazell, Letitia Batiste, Sháni Z. Pope, Yayri Hazell, Judy

Gumbs, Lenore and Juel Mills, Chantel Avery and Oresha Greenidge.

Nephews:Kurtney and Jeffery Smith, Gyasi Depusoir,Ronald Batiste Jr., Khan and Kris Pope,

T’Zeghai Hazell, Gavin and Darren Joseph, Khary W. Hazell, and Rasu Jilani and Gary Avery

Brothers-in-law: Leopold Joseph; E.Warner Riviere; Dunstan Pope; Ronald Batiste Sr. Wilfredo

and Keith Mills, Clement Brown and Leroy Richards

Sisters-in-law: Stefani I. Hazell. Christina Mills-Avery, Nicola and Everette Mills and Gwendolyn

Brown Kelly

He is also survived by the numerous descendants of Samuel Hazell; John Garnette and Amelia

Hazell Garnette; the Roach family of Bermuda and the Browne, Thomas ,Mills family.

Many friends to include Bonnie Belardo, Gustav James, the St. Joseph Class of 1972 and the

co-workers at Harris County Hospital Laboratory Department

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.katyfh.com for the HAZEL family.