Hazel Maxine Owen

Hazel Maxine Owen was born February 20, 1925 in TIskilwa, Illinois to Jess Luther Bedell and Mabel Francis Breese Bedell. She was the only daughter of 5 children, having 2 older brothers, and 2 younger identical twin brothers.

Hazel graduated from Eden High School in Eden, Illinois in 1944. She was employed at the Greiner’s Lawn Care, and also worked in Men’s Alterations Department of Wm H Block Company in Indianapolis, Indiana after graduation.

Hazel married John Barr Jeffries in 1945 and they lived in the Veteran’s village near the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where John attended classes. They divorced in 1953.

In 1955 Hazel married Ralph Edward Godfrey and resided in Crescent, Oklahoma. They were married for 30 years. During this time Hazel was active in community service in Crescent, heading up the local 4-H Chapter for many years. She built the club from 25 members to over 100 guiding the members to numerous and various awards during her tenure. The club participated at the “Share the Fun” competitions, livestock shows, meat judging, county and state fairs, as well as many other activities. Once the club became too large to lead alone, she separated it into two divisions, Junior and Senior, and remained the head leader for 10 years. At least 8 members won the right to attend the National Convention in Chicago under her leadership.

She belonged to the canasta club and was a member of the auxiliaries of the American Legion and the VFW. She was a member of the Alpha Study Club for many years and elected Chairman for 2 years. She also served on the Community Building Board as Secretary.

After the death of Ralph Godfrey, Hazel married Charles Owen of Crescent and they had a marriage of 15 years until his death. She is also preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Robert and Howard Bedell of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is also survived by her brothers, Chester and Lester Bedell as well as her daughter, Ann Sutherland and son-in-law, David Sutherland, of Dallas, Texas. Her Grandson, Chad Wayne Cox and wife, Abigail Cox of Boston, Massachusetts; Granddaughter, Erin Morgan Moore and husband, Blake Beeler of Oklahoma City; Great Grandchildren, Nathaniel Joseph Cox and Annabel Cox of Boston. Step-Daughters: Denise Farleigh and son Nathan of Anchorage, Alaska and Deann Owen Lewis of Crescent, Oklahoma and her children James Joe Lewis of Spokane, Washington, and Joann Lewis Sugrue of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Hazel leaves behind many friends from her home town of Crescent, Oklahoma where she was a member of the First Methodist Church.