Hazel Bradford Flynn

Hazel was the last surviving Charter Member of Mouzon United Methodist Church which she served faithfully in many capacities for over sixty years. She was Mouzon’s liaison to Bethlehem Center which she championed for decades. In addition, after Crisis Assistance Ministry was started, Hazel became one of the first to volunteer and served that agency every Tuesday morning well into her eighties. She always had a heart for those in need and reached out to them as an expression of her faith.

Born June 8, 1912 in Winston Salem, NC, Hazel vividly remembered riding the trolley from her house to Reynolds High School where she graduated at age 16. At age 20, she graduated from Salem College where she earned many honors and was captain of the field hockey team. She went on to be an elementary school teacher and was startled to find that many of her students were bigger than she was. (She was barely 5 feet tall.)

In 1937, Hazel married Fletcher S. “Fletch” Flynn. They soon moved to Charlotte where they founded a church and started a family. Over the years Hazel and Fletch were stalwarts at all of Smitty’s ball games and Terry’s dance recitals. Family, church, and friends were at the center of their marriage.

Hazel had a wonderful, feisty side which often came out when she watched her beloved Atlanta Braves on TV wearing her Braves baseball cap. She would berate them for taking a called third strike or missing the cut-off man. Hazel may well have been the oldest woman in America with a subscription to Sports Illustrated! Mom, you were the best; we miss you already.

Hazel is survived by her brother, Bill Bradford (Julia) of Winston-Salem. She is also survived by her two children, Terry Ferrell (Wortie) and Smitty Flynn (Jill); four grandchildren: Tad Wyche (Stephanie), Flynn Wyche (Abigail), Angie Flynn-McIver (Charlie), and Kate Flynn, as well as eight great grandchildren: Feild and Ruth Wyche, Hazel and Anna Wyche, Nora and Cameron Flynn-McIver, and Justin and Reece Bell and their father, Maurice Bell.

The family wishes to express special gratitude to Hazel’s wonderful friends – especially Terry Hammill, Anne Harris, Doris Test, and Leslie Faulkner.

A Memorial Service celebrating Hazel’s life will be held at Mouzon United Methodist Church on Friday, September 16 at 11:00AM followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Crisis Assistance Ministry, Bethlehem Center, or Mouzon United Methodist Church.

Harry and Bryant Company is serving the family of Mrs. Flynn.