Hazel Iris Swords

Hazel Iris (Andrews) Swords, age 86, of Springfield, Virginia, passed on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Hazel was born on March 21, 1936, in New Albany, Mississippi, to the late Frederick Burdette and Ethel Wise Andrews.

Hazel was the third of six children raised in New Harmony where she played on the school basketball team and participated in many beauty pageants. She married John William (Rusty) Swords in 1954. With Rusty being in the Air Force, they lived in several places including California and France before settling in the Washington DC area. Hazel raised three children and retired after a successful career with the Federal Government.

Affectionately named, Hazy, by her first grandchild, she became known to everyone by this name. Hazy enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, crocheting hats, scarves, or afghans for everyone including all of the new babies in the family, and sharing stories from her childhood. She loved playing card games and word games. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed planning and preparing meals for her ever-growing family until her health no longer allowed it.

Hazy was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Joyce Rakestraw, Evelyn Barton, Linda Moss; and two brothers, Parker Andrews, and Wade Andrews. Her reunion with them in heaven will likely be many funny stories around the family card table.

Hazy is survived by her children; Barry Swords (Mary), Cindy Swords, Jennifer Loudermilk (Ronnie); five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, many loving nieces and nephews and her best friend, like a sister, Hilda Gross.

The family will have a small memorial service on Monday, April 3, 2023, after cremation has been completed. Hazy’s ashes will be spread over a field of wildflowers as she requested. Memorials in lieu of flowers can be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).