Hazel Taylor Rountree

Hazel Lafoy Taylor Rountree, 94, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 18, 2011, in Baton Rouge. Hazel was born in 1917 in Bon Ami to Robert and Annie Stephens Taylor. She was the oldest of three children. She married William K. Rountree from Camden, Ark., in 1935. The couple lived in many parts of the United States and Canada through her husband's 25-year career with M.W. Kellogg. After the death of her husband, Hazel moved to Baton Rouge, where she lived for 44 years. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family during her travels and was an avid letter-writer. Her love of writing also included original poetry and prose, with local publication of several of her compositions. She loved to knit, sew and paint, but tending a garden of flowers and herbs gave Hazel special joy and was a love she passed on to her son. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband; and brother, Floyd Taylor and his wife, Doris. She is survived by her son, William, his wife, Sarah, and their daughter, Isabel. Also survived by her brother, John Taylor and his wife, June; as well as her brother-in-law, Harold Rountree and his wife, Jean. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, including William Taylor, Susan Beam, Jackie Smith, Ronald Joe Dudley, Tommy Doyle Dudley, John Floyd Taylor, Millicent Harrelson, Sandra Hewitt, Lonnie Clark and Don Rountree. The family gives special thanks to the caring staff at St. Clare Manor Nursing Home in Baton Rouge. Visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., 70815, Friday, May 27, from 1 p.m. until funeral service at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Steve Crump.