On Wednesday, December 26, 2018, Hazel Leona Stallings Martin went home to be with her Savior at the age of 98. She started this life as a 3 pound newborn on July 3, 1920, in Greenwood, Arkansas to parents Bob and Lou Stallings. Her premature birth was the first of many struggles that failed to overwhelm her long, full, happy life.
Hazel married 30-year-old Dutch Martin at the tender age of 19, on June 28, 1939. When asked later why she married such an old man, she said, “I guess because I loved him.” And love him she did for 56 years until he preceded her in death on July 25, 1995.
She was no stranger to hard work, and performed various jobs from picking cotton to working at GE, and finally a long career and retirement from Rheem. Though she enjoyed her work, her true happiness was in people. She fiercely loved her family, and could name her 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren until her last few days. To her credit, no one ever found out exactly who was her favorite grandchild.
Hazel was a faithful member of Greenwood First Free Will Baptist Church, where she served in many capacities. Whether as custodian or teacher, she served as a beacon of hope, love, and acceptance to all who walked through those doors.
Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Dutch; her son, William Henry; and her daughter, Effie Lou. She was also preceded in death by sisters, Juanita Cook and Nancy Kirschke, and brother, Monroe Stallings.
She is survived by daughter, Brinda Thomas, and husband, Gerald Thomas, of Greenwood, Arkansas, and daughter, Linda Owens, and husband, James Owens, of Greenwood, Arkansas.
Visitation will be from 2-8 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Greenwood First Free Will Baptist Church, where the family will visit with friends from 6-8 pm. Funeral service will be 10 am Friday, December 28, 2018 at Greenwood First Free Will Baptist Church with burial at Liberty Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.
Pallbearers will be Russell Thomas, Shanan Thomas, Ragon Clements, Chad Kizzire, Ken Brown and Kendal Brown. Honorary pallbearers are Delbert Hodges, Rick Cusick, Don Litchford and Tom Wellnitz.
