Hazel Pruett Allen

Hazel Pruett Allen passed away on March 20, 2023 at age 89, following a stroke in July of 2022. Hazel was born at home in Bethlehem, GA on December 3, 1933 to Chester and Pearl Edwards Pruett. She had two older brothers: Leeon (Frances) Pruett and Lamar (Joan) Pruett who have preceded her. She is survived by a sister-in-law and friend, Joan Pruett Moon. Hazel was married in 1950 to Herman Allen who passed away in June of 2017. They were married for 67 years and had three daughters: Janice (Bill Anderson) Allen, Wanda (Johnny) Doster, and Annette (Paul) Huckfeldt.

Hazel spent her early years as a stay-at-home mother of three girls. She cooked three full meals a day and sewed all the dresses for the girls. As time went on and the girls were older and in school, she went to work at Carwood Manufacturing Co. in the bookkeeping department. When Carwood became Duck Head, she transferred to the new location and retired in 1996. Hazel was devoted to serving the LORD and her church, Bethlehem First United Methodist Church. She started teaching in the Nursery-Preschool class in 1959 because her youngest girl cried and wanted her to stay with her. And stay she did! For forty years she taught many of the children whom she had the privilege to watch grow up in church. Every Sunday, "Miss Hazel" carried a box of animal crackers for the Sunday School children's snack. She served as President of the Bethlehem STARS (Seniors That Are Really Special) at BFUMC. This was an older adult group for which she planned activities and outings. Hazel had many dear friends that she knew all her life and enjoyed visits and sometimes daily phone calls from them.

In addition to her three daughters, Hazel is survived by ten grandchildren: Joy (Billy) Skaggs, Alana (Derrick) Sparks, Andy (Linda) Cooper, Brooke (Vasek) Slamkova, Van (Katy) Cooper, Lacy (Freddy) Arriaga, Mark (Pui) Doster, Jenny (Matt) Doster, Matthew Huckfeldt, and Elizabeth (Alfredo) Huerta, and one step-granddaughter, Sandi (Leon) Anderson-Quave. She is also survived by fifteen great-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren. Before any holiday, she would prepare for about forty people. She was blessed with so many family members, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

A celebration of her long and happy life is scheduled for Thursday, March 23 at 3:00 pm at Bethlehem First United Methodist Church with Reverend Frank Bernat officiating. The burial, in the family section of the BFUMC Cemetery beside her parents and her husband, will immediately follow the service. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 22, at Smith Funeral Home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.

The family will graciously accept your expressions of condolences with flowers or with a donation in memory of Hazel Pruett Allen to Bethlehem First United Methodist Church, 709 Christmas Avenue, Bethlehem, GA 30620.