Hazel G. Smith

Hazel Graham Smith, 96, a lifelong resident of Gulfport, passed away Thursday, January 14, at Manhattan Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Jackson. Mrs. Smith was born in Gulfport on November 4, 1913. She graduated from Gulfport High School in 1932 and went on to graduate from the Port Arthur Business School in 1934. She served on the administrative staff for the Gulfport City Schools as Supervisor of the School Lunch Program for 30 years before retiring due to the illness of her husband. During her ninety-one years of active and independent life as a resident of Gulfport, Hazel Smith was known for her deep love, hospitality, caring concern, and the special attention she gave to her friends, business associates, and employees in the Gulfport school system. She was loved, respected and admired by all as she embraced them with her warm and loving personality. She married Louis Chalmers Smith, also a lifelong resident of the coast, in August of 1938. He preceded her in death in 1985, after a lengthy illness, during which she faithfully and lovingly cared for him. She moved from Gulfport in her latter years to Clinton, MS due to her illness. She was a committed and dedicated servant in her church, Grace Memorial Baptist Church, which she served as Treasurer for 20 years, and on numerous committees, including two pastor search committees. She was a faithful and loving member of her Sunday School class, Fidelis. Her church service and relationships sustained and nurtured her throughout her years of membership in the church. Hazel was active in her community, a member of Eastern Star, and was recognized as an astute business woman, owning and managing her own business for many years. She took great delight in using her contacts to encourage and enable people in need of work to find employment. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her loving husband, their infant son, Andrew, and by her parents, Matthew and Zelma Graham. She is survived by her son, Louis Graham Smith and his wife, Alice, of Clinton, MS; and daughter, Hazel Gail Peltzer and her husband, John, of Andale, Kansas. She is loved and remembered by her grandchildren, Alicia Smith Wilbanks and her husband, Chip, of Clinton; Louis Graham Smith, Jr. and his wife, June, of Houston, TX; and Leigh Catherine (Lisi) Osborne and her husband, Jay, of Gainesville, Florida. She leaves seven great-grandchildren, Allyce, Annaclaire, and Abigail Wilbanks; Taylor Grace and Graham Smith; Chad and Austen Osborne. She will always be deeply loved by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an example to all who knew her of the qualities of love, loyalty, and commitment to her Christian faith, and lived out her life as a testimony to our Lord and His guidance throughout her life. Visitation will be Saturday, January 16, 10:00 A.M. at Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Gulfport, MS with the service beginning at 11:00 A.M. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery following the service. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.