Hazel Davis

Services for Hazel Dell Whatley Davis, 75, of Grand Saline, are scheduled for 2 p.m., Monday, September 29, 2014 at Bartley Funeral Home with Bro. Billy Smith and Bro. Jimmy Jones officiating.

Interment will follow at Corinth Cemetery.

Mrs. Davis passed away September 26, 2014 in Tyler. She was born August 6, 1939 in Mt. Calm to F.M. (Jack) and Queenie (Nig) Whatley. Hazel married Harp Davis on May 31, 1955. She was a Licensed Vocational Nurse and worked at Cozby Germany Hospital as a surgical nurse for over 20 years. She also worked as a charge nurse at Country Trails Nursing Home for many years. Hazel was a member of Corinth Baptist Church, which is where you would find her every Sunday until she was unable to attend. She also taught children’s Sunday school class and loved seeing the children learn about the Bible and accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Family was the most important thing in Hazel’s life. She always said her greatest accomplishment was having a family that made her so proud. She loved family gatherings, whether it was a holiday, birthday event, or a family gathering for no reason at all, she was always there with a smile. She especially loved hosting the Whatley family reunion every Memorial Day for over 10 years. She loved visiting with family members that she only saw that one time a year, recounting stories of years gone by and remembering those loved ones who were no longer here.

In later years, it was necessary for Hazel to be on renal dialysis three times a week, but she even turned that into a positive. She got to know all of the other patients and staff at the dialysis center and looked forward to visiting with everyone during the treatment sessions. The staff and patients at Fresenius Dialysis Center became her second family and they referred to her as their “cheerleader”, because she would welcome new patients with open arms and let them know that “it’s not that bad”.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Jackie Whatley.

Survivors include her husband of 59 years “Harp” Davis; two daughters, Donna Lynn Nash of Grand Saline and Debra Lee Stanford and husband Carl of Grand Saline; two sisters, Sandra Sue Waldner of Canton and Brenda Gail Smith and husband Rick of Chandler; five grandchildren, Amanda Anderson, Chris Weaver, Craig Stanford, Andrea Rowe, and Emma Stanford; one great-grandchild, Hadley Dell Anderson; and numerous other family and friends.

Pallbearers are Chris Weaver, Craig Stanford, Eric Tabraham, Kris Anderson, and Patrick Rowe.

Heartfelt gratitude is sent to the staff of East Texas Medical Center and Hospice of East Texas for their kind and supportive care during her last days. Many thanks also to the Fresenius Dialysis Center for all their support, compassion, and kindness shown to Hazel while she was their patient.

The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.