Geneva Mae Hazelwood

Geneva Mae Hazelwood, 95, originally of Edinburgh, Indiana, passed away on January 13, 2020 in Pensacola, Florida. A Funeral Service for Geneva will be held on Tuesday, January 21st at 2:00 p.m. at Myers-Reed Chapel with her grandson, Rev. Shawn Scheffler officiating. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery, Edinburgh. A visitation will be held Monday, January 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service time on Tuesday. Geneva was born on December 2, 1924 in Benita, Kentucky. She lived a full life and saw many changes in the world during her lifetime. Geneva lived through all wars since WWII and the Great Depression. Growing up, Geneva could only get two dresses, two pairs of socks, and undergarments to last her the whole year. She grew up with no electricity, plumbing, or telephone. Needless to say, she was completely amazed at cellphones, GPS, Bluetooth in cars, and especially sending pictures via cell phone while talking on the cordless phone. Geneva was a Coal Miner’s Daughter and could tell you the difference in coal. She went to work at the age of 15 and made $1 per day. She lived through the rise of women in the workforce and earning their right to vote. Her first vehicle was a Model A Ford that had a crank start and she had it until the birth of her fourth daughter, Diana. During WWII, Geneva was pen pals with Major Hazelwood. He fell in love with her and married her soon after he returned home from the war and recovering in the VA Hospital. They were married on September 26, 1945 for 26 years. Also, their favorite poem was "Beyond the Sunset." Geneva and Major had six daughters. Wanda (Ken) Christy of Columbus, IN, Patty (Charles; Jerry W. Downs KIA in Vietnam in 1966) McClintic of Columbus, IN, Kathy (Wayland) Whitley of Pantigo, NC, Diana and Jim Getts of Cape Coral, FL, Sandy (Ed) Leachy of Cameron, NC; and Shelley Hazelwood of Pensacola, FL. They all survive. Geneva was excited to see all her daughters become "seniors." Geneva always said she was glad she did not have sons so they would not be drafted. Ironically, she ended up with two daughters in the military and all of her son's in law (deceased, former, or living) served in the military. Along with her daughters, she is also survived by one son who she adopted through her heart and love, Rusty (Barb) Johnson of Milan, GA who also served in the US Army. Geneva was blessed with 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great grandchildren. Her greatest joy in life was her family and her three pets. For 11 years, she was the oldest living member of her side of the family. She was preceded in death by her biological father, William Robinson; her step-father who raised her, William Harrell; her mother, Rosa (Daughtry) Harrell; brother, Leon Robinson; sister, Barbara Cruso; and former husband, Major Hazelwood. Geneva had a great sense of humor and kept her soul young even as she got older. She even kept her lighthearted spirit at the doctor's office and made her visits enjoyable. Her favorite doctors were Dr. Edwin Taylor and Dr. Robert Kincaid (retired). Both doctors said they had never seen a patient have so much fun on a doctor's. visit. She was always joking back and forth with her doctors and kept her spirit young. The medical staff was always so shocked to find out her age because they said she looked and acted 20 years younger. When her doctor would tell her that her A-Fib was acting up, she would playfully reply, "oh, that's what happens when I am around a good looking man." Geneva loved cooking, crocheting, and most of all, laughter. She always lit up a room, kept everyone smiling, and everyone who met her said, "She is an angel." Geneva always gave the purest and most loving hugs. Before parting ways with her family, she would always give them a hug and say a "long" prayer applying, “The Protective Hedge of Job over you, your car, workplace, or wherever you go" which is how Shelley started "Ditto, Ditto, Ditto." Her last physical act was one of her timeless hugs to her daughter, Patty. Her daughter, Shelley, would tell everyone “If you want to know what it’s like to receive a hug from Jesus, let my Mom give you a hug.” Please join us in celebrating Geneva's life. To leave an online condolence to the family, visit www.Myers-Reed.com Myers-Reed Chapel is serving the Hazelwood family.