Hazel H. Scales

Hazel H. Scales, 89, passed away on February 29, 2016. Survivors include her devoted husband, Charles, of 64 years and her son, Don, who resides in New York City. Hazel began her illustrious career in education: a state champion orator before earning AB & BS Degrees at Jacksonville State University and later a Master's Degree at the University of South Alabama focusing on Supervision and Administration. She worked a total of thirty-seven years in the school system including Chairman of the English Department at Escambia High School (1958-75) and then assisted Lon Wise in opening Pine Forest High School as Assistant Principal (1975-80) before her promotion to Principal (PFHS, 1980-85). She became the first female high school principal of Northwest Florida. Hazel was the only school administrator from Northwest Florida to serve on a committee appointed by the Florida Legislature to develop and to adopt statewide standards to revolutionize the process for selecting and training Florida School Administrators. On September 6, 2013, Hazel was honored by Pine Forest High School and the Escambia County School Board for the dedication and the renaming of the library of PFHS to the Hazel H. Scales Media Center. After retirement, she focused on several favorite projects including sewing, reading, and entertaining with an "artistic flair" for table settings. Hazel has been a great example of one taking her God given talents and applying long hours of hard work to produce a life of "firsts" and goals achieved --- making a difference personally and professionally. The family will receive friends for visitation from 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Myrtle Grove United Methodist Church, 1030 N. 57th Avenue. Service will follow at 4:00 pm. A private burial service will be held at the Barrancas National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Covenant Hospice. Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.