Hazel Marie Beard

Hazel Marie Beard was born on May 4, 1953, in Fulton, Arkansas, to Earnestine Stokes and Elmo Beard. She was the sixth of seven children. In 1961, Hazel, her mother, and her siblings moved to Arizona in search of new beginnings.

Hazel began her education at W.R. Sullivan School and later graduated from Phoenix Union High School, where she was actively involved in student council. She went on to attend Grand Canyon University on a scholarship, earning a degree in education. During this time, she worked full time at 94.5 KOOL-FM radio station and welcomed her beloved daughter, Laticia Genay Beard, on August 28, 1971, with Benny Stokes.

In 1974, Hazel began her teaching career at W.R. Sullivan School as a second-grade teacher. She retired in 2004 after decades of dedicated service. Hazel deeply loved her coworkers and students and taught multiple generations of families. Her passion for teaching made her well known and respected throughout the community. In recognition of her impact, she received the Silver Apple Teacher Award for the State of Arizona.

In 1983, Hazel also began working as a tax consultant with H&R Block, where she continued her service until her retirement in 2021.

Faith and Church Life

As a young girl, Hazel was baptized in a river in Arkansas and gave her life to Christ. In her later years, she began attending Antioch Missionary Baptist Church around 1985. Hazel was a dedicated church usher and had a deep love and passion for the church family and the Word of God. She remained an active and faithful member of the church until the onset of her illness.

Hazel passed away on November 28, 2025.

Hazel lived life with joy, humor, and authenticity. Her favorite colors were purple and leopard print. She adored frogs and collected frog figurines. She was extremely outgoing and enjoyed sewing, traveling, attending family gatherings, playing Spades and Rise and Fly, fishing, gardening, cooking, dancing, singing “My Last Two Dollars” by Johnny Taylor and “Boots on the Ground” by 803Fresh, talking on the phone, enjoying a few margaritas, and most of all, visiting her cousins — affectionately known as “the casino.”

Above all, Hazel cherished her family. She loved her only child, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law, siblings, extended family, and friends deeply.

Hazel is survived by her daughter, Laticia Beard; grandsons, Marquiz Beard-Neal and Jalen Beard-Gray; great-grandsons, Jax Neal and Jru Neal; sisters, Ethel Beard-Buckley and Idella “Dell” Thornburg; granddaughter-in-law, Mahalie Thomas; Benny Stokes; goddaughter Elaine Johnson, dear friend Janice Johnson, and a host of loving family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earnestine and Elmo Beard; grandson, Rueben Beard-Neal; brother, Joe White; and sisters, Wyoming Tucker, Martha Beard, and Opal Lewis