Hazel Gordon Beaver Richmond died peacefully in her sleep Monday, December 7, 2020. She was 99 years old. Hazel was born October 23, 1921, the eldest child of Solon and Rubye Frances Shoemaker Beaver. She is preceded in death by her husband, Mike Richmond, her brothers, Solon Jr. "June" and Dan Beaver, sisters, Carolyn Beaver and Dorothy "Dot" Beaver Henderson, and her nephew, Chip Fee.
Hazel grew up in Crosstown, TN. She graduated from Munford High School, where she was the Homecoming Queen and named Miss Tipton County. Hazel went on to continue her education at Memphis State University, completing her undergraduate and master's degrees in education. Hazel firmly believed in education. She retired from Shelby County Schools after 34 years of service as the principal of Collierville Elementary School.
While in college, Hazel married Mike Richmond. He loved athletics and Hazel loved "her" Tigers. Mike and Hazel had two children, Michael and Janice Richmond. Big Mike and Hazel loved attending football, basketball, and baseball games all over the country. Hazel was thrilled when Michael chose to play baseball for Memphis over football at Ole Miss. One of Hazel's granddaughters vividly remembers nearly freezing to death at a Memphis football game in Louisville as a child. No matter the weather, Hazel was where her Tigers were and didn't leave any game until time on the clock had fully expired. For a lifetime, Memphis athletics have been a family affair. Despite being 5 feet tall and all of 114 pounds, Hazel required extra seats at basketball and football games because she could simply not hold still. Her cheering was a near-wrestling match for those sitting around her. She cheered for players like they were her children...and Hazel raised children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to be Tiger fans!
Mike and Hazel raised their family in Eads, TN. They were active members of Eads United Methodist Church, where Hazel served as the church treasurer for many years. Hazel was a fantastic cook. Her recipes are cherished. Her chocolate pie recipe, in particular, can be found in the wallets of several family members, both as an heirloom and "in case of emergency." During the holidays and most Sundays, Hazel cooked and served family. She happened to also be perfectly dressed, her "face" on, and not a hair out of place. A friend recently described Hazel as "a firecracker with pearls on," no doubt an accurate description. She was a role model for her granddaughters, Shelley and Scotti, and a treasured fixture in their lives. Hazel's get-it-done personality was far superior to any caped-character on television, a real-life Super Woman.
Hazel leaves behind her children, Mike (Debbie) and Jan Richmond, her youngest sister, Wanda Beaver Fee (Charles), her granddaughters, Shelley Richmond Arthur (Coors) and Scotti Richmond Anglin (Chad), her great-grandchildren, Will, Charlie, and Wright Arthur and Cate and Caroline Anglin, nieces, Lyn Henderson Fabacher (Bob), Cindy Henderson McGhee (Will), Dana Beaver Keyes (Will), Laurie Fee Schirm (Steve), Charla Fee Miller, her nephews, Haywood Henderson (Gaye) and Bill Dan Beaver, and a host of "greats," cousins, and friends to fill up the house at the next "Beaverpalooza."
Visitation will be held Monday evening at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue from 5:00-7:00pm. A graveside service for family will be held Tuesday afternoon in Eads. In lieu of flowers, The family requests memorials be made in Hazel's honor to the Tiger Scholarship Fund online at http://memphis.edu.tsf or mailed to Tiger Scholarship Fund, 570 Normal Street, Memphis, TN 38152. Memorials may also be made to Eads United Methodist Church, c/o Carl Johnson, PO Box 11, Eads, TN 38028.
