The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Hazel Smith, who was a long time resident of Orange, went to her heavenly home on Feb. 8. She died in College Station, after a brief illness.

Hazel was born on Dec. 13, 1922 in Daisetta, to Jack and Estelle Dardeau. She graduated from Orangefield High School in 1939. She married Robert A. (Bob) Smith on May 7, 1943, and they made their home in Orangefield, and later moved to West Orange. Hazel was employed at Joe Norman Enterprises for many years. She loved bowling, line dancing and Aggie football.

Her great pride and joy were her children Janice Kay, Bobby, Mary Lynn, Gary and Dicky, and she was extremely proud to be the wife, mother and grandmother to 11 Texas A&M graduates.

Even though Hazel had to relocate to College Station after Hurricane Rita, in her heart she always considered Orange to be her home. Hazel will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. She never forgot the lifelong friendships she had established in Orange and cherished the memories she shared with those friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob Smith, her son, Bobby Smith, her sister, Evenlyn Garrett, and her niece, Carolyn Hogan.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Bill Adams of Grapevine; her daughter-in-law, Lynn Smith of Longview; her daughter, Mary Lynn Smith of Mexia; her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Sally Smith of Southlake, TX; and Dicky and Leta Smith of College Station. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.