Hazel Wilson Cofield, age 102, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024 in Sandy Springs, Georgia. She was born in Enterprise, Alabama on September 4, 1922 to the late Alice Johnson Wilson and Porter Wilson. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank Cofield, brother Stanley Porter Wilson, sister-in-law Barbara D. Wilson, sister Marilyn Wilson Butler, brother-in-law Merrill Butler, and son-in-law Cullen Gilliland. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Kay Cofield Wright (Max Perry) and Jeanne Cofield Gilliland, grandchildren, Connie Johnson Kirkpatrick (Mike), Andrew Gilliland (Joy), and Alice Gilliland (Greg Sayles), eight great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews
The Wilson family moved to Dixie, Alabama in 1928 where Hazel attended school and graduated from Damascus High School, valedictorian of her class. She then attended Troy State College. In 1942 she married Frank Cofield, a captain in the U.S. Army during World War II. They lived in Andalusia, Alabama and Springfield, Illinois, and finally settled in Atlanta in 1950. Hazel graduated from Oglethorpe University with a degree in Education. Later she earned her Masters in Education from the University of Georgia. She taught school for over 30 years, mainly in DeKalb County and the Dunwoody area. She especially enjoyed her 7th grade math and science classes. Throughout her teaching career she was an inspiration to her students, and she received several awards and acknowledgments. She was active in the Delta Kappa Gamma organization for women educators, and served as president of the Sigma Alpha Sigma chapter.
Hazel enjoyed traveling, gardening, and bridge. She traveled all over the world with friends and family. She also had her amateur radio license and communicated with people all over the world. She spent her final years at Huntcliff Summit retirement community where she again met many wonderful people.
Hazel was a member of Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven for over 50 years. She was an ordained elder and served as moderator for Presbyterian Women. In later years she joined Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church to be near family.
The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Generational Smiles for their loving care. They also thank Capstone Hospice for their care during the last few months.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 26 at 2:00pm at the H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity.
