Hazel Inez Smith Gauntt

Hazel Inez Smith Gauntt, 88, formerly of Victoria, Texas passed away Monday, February 15, 2016. She was born November 8, 1927, in Shreveport, Louisiana to the late Hickman J. and Lona Riser Smith. She graduated from Byrd High School in 1944, and later graduated from the Meadows-Draughon Business College.

Hazel married Everett Asa Gauntt, Jr. on February 4, 1949, and together they moved to Victoria in September of 1953. Hazel was a full-time matriarch raising two daughters and two sons. She became an Avon representative in 1979 and sold Avon for over 25 years. She was a long-time member of Baptist Temple Church in Victoria, Texas. After Everett’s passing in 2011 Hazel moved to The Woodlands, Texas to be closer to her children.

Hazel is preceded in death by her husband, Everett Asa Gauntt, Jr. and her daughter, Susan Elaine Gauntt. Survivors include her brother, Perry Smith and wife, Marie; daughter, Katherine Cannon and husband, Michael; sons, Ron and wife Anna, and Jonathan and wife, Larissa; and nine grandchildren, who will all miss her dearly.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 20, 2016, from 2:00-3:00 pm at Rosewood Funeral Chapel, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas. A celebration of life service will follow at 3:00 pm with Rev. David Hudson officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8919 US Highway 87, Victoria, Texas, 77901.

Memorials may be made to Baptist Temple Church, 1804 N. Laurent Street, Victoria, Texas, 77901.

Words of comfort may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Rosewood Funeral Chapels, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas, 77904, 361/573-4546.