Hazel Tullos Bates

Hazel Tullos Bates was born on August 29, 1924 to Jack Tullos and Cora Nash Tullos, and died December 15, 2023; she was 99 years old! She was raised by her very strong-willed single mother, which is likely where that trait originated in Hazel. East Texas was her home and she graduated at Apple Springs High School in Apple Springs, Texas, in 1942 in a class of 8 close friends. After graduation, she moved to Houston where she worked as a bookkeeper for Schlumberger during World War II, gaining the reputation of “the little girl who could handle anything they needed done right the first time.”

J.W. Bates, a cocky young military guy, spotted her in the East End neighborhood of Houston, and told his friend “this was the one he was going to marry.” Even though Hazel was also seeing a well-to-do young man from “the other side of town”, she eventually decided it was J.W. she really loved. They were married February 12, 1944 before he left for Italy with the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Hazel and J.W. had one child, Bonnie, who Hazel adored. After the war, Hazel and J.W. had several restaurants in Houston, including the Dinner Bell Cafeteria which they owned and operated for over 20 years. They moved to Temple in 2005 and enjoyed 18 years being close to the grand and great-grandchildren, the large extended family and the First Baptist Church family. Hazel was preceded in death by both parents, her siblings C.W. Tullos, Alma Miller, Billie Bonvillion and John (Sonny) Lawson; her son-in-law Mark Fowler; and, her husband J.W. Bates.

Hazel lived in her little yellow house until she was 98, when she became a resident of Park Place Manor Nursing Home. She was loved and cared for by the staff there until the end. Her life will be celebrated and the Lord will be praised on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 1:00pm at the First Baptist Church in Temple, Texas. Reverend Gary Anthony will be the minister in charge of the service. Hazel is survived by her only child, Bonnie Fowler; her grandchildren, Brittany and Michael Norman and Seth Fowler; seven great grandchildren and one new great-great grandson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All God’s Children International, 1400 NE 136th Ave, Ste. 210, Vancouver, WA 98684; or, Scottish Rite for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219.

Scanio-Harper Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.