Hazel Ruth Whitaker was born November 3, 1934, to R. E. and Evie Harris in Shelbyville, TX. She was the baby sister of N. C. and R. C. Harris. She attended public school in Timpson, TX and later moved to Houston.
Hazel was employed at the L. C. Cafeteria, and then moved on to the Houston Independent School District, where she retired in 1996 after 31 years of service as a custodian. The majority of years were spent at Betsy Ross Elementary School.
Hazel was a member of the New Canaan Baptist Church under the leadership of the late J. B. Adams. Later she moved her membership to Fontaine Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor John H. Brown.
On any given day you could find Hazel outside working in her garden and tending to her lawn. She often stated “I like being outside better than inside”.
Hazel was the oldest living relative on both sides of her family. God blessed us with her for 89 wonderful years.
She leaves to cherish her memories: her children, Charles Ray Kellum, Cleveland Whitaker (Lisa), Clifton Whitaker (Kara), Angela Whitaker, Christian Whitaker, Markus Whitaker, Charles Edward Whitaker (Natalie),
and Timothy Hadley, whom Hazel raised until the age of 10 years old; grandchildren, Ricky Jackson, Cleveland Kizzee, LaNai’ Whitaker (Nai Whitaker-mother), Andre Whitaker, and Christopher Whitaker;
great grandchildren, Kindrik A. Lindsay, Caden Lindsay, Meaghan Kizzee, Amir Kizzee and A’myr Cotton-Whitaker; nephews, Rictor Harris (Caroline), Eric Q. Payne Sr. (Cynthia), Darryl Hadley (Shay), Kevin Hadley and Michael Hadley; nieces, Sheila Harris and Karen Hadley; special cousin,
Gail Lathom; a host of relative cousins, Bretshire Drive neighbors and friends.
Hazel is preceded in death by both parents, R. E. Harris (1981) and Evie Harris (1982); brothers, N. C. Harris (1975) and R. C. Harris (2021).
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