Hazel Adams
1929—2023
Hazel Adams, 94, of Tomahawk, passed away Sept. 8, 2023, at the Martin County Health Care Facility.
She was born April 4, 1929, to the late Maudie and Bascom Mills. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Alex Adams; her daughter, Janis Adams; her sisters Irene Boyd, Artie Conley and Rebecca Dalton; and brothers Ersel and Arbie Mills.
She is survived by her daughter Donna (Truman) Horn of Inez, sons Clay (Marylu) Adams of Davenport, Florida, and Phillip (Retha) Adams of Tomahawk as well as brother Louis Mills of Tomahawk, sisters Nelcie Combs of Ohio and Flo Ann Wilson of Tennessee.
Hazel was blessed with seven wonderful grandchildren —Tara Horn, John Horn, Justin Adams, Brittany Parsons, and Terrell, Clint and Jason Scarborough. She had 13 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews who loved her.
Born during the Great Depression, her childhood was the story of Appalachia, where the bonds of family and the love of God sustained them as they lived off the land. Though riches were never her goal, through a life of love and service to others, Hazel has impacted many. Her children were taught by her example to love others, forgive their faults, do their best, be thrifty, and honor their loved ones. With eight siblings and their spouses, she shared a selfless love that has never dimmed, always helping each other through life’s trials and sharing its joys.
Hazel gave her heart to the LORD on April 24, 1985, and was a member of the Favored United Baptist Church. Though she wasn’t one to brag, you knew Hazel was proud of her children and grandchildren. Her love and, yes, even her discipline helped shape their lives. As the family matriarch since she lived in the home place, she carried on the “Meetin’ on the Hill” tradition as long as she could, and sitting on her front porch is still a family tradition.
All who knew her have good memories of her cooking, whether a big family breakfast, an array of delicious sweets, or just basic home-cooked food. Even the employees at the nursing home loved her and often sought her out to hear her stories and learn about cooking or canning.
Hazel survived many hardships during her 94 years, and everyone knew her to be a strong woman. The biggest tragedy was the loss of her daughter Janis and the failure of her marriage to the love of her life. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is reunited in heaven with her loved ones and will follow her example of strength as they support each other through her loss.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, at the Callaham Funeral Home in Inez, with Glen Penix officiating. Burial was at the Adams Cemetery in Tomahawk, under the direction of the Callaham Funeral Home, Inez.