Mrs. Hazel Marie Paden

A mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend named Hazel Marie Paden was born September 3, 1937, 86 yrs. old, to Bennie and Ruth Paden in Waterloo, Arkansas. Hazel was the 2nd oldest of 8 children and held the position of 2nd mother to all her siblings. A heart made of gold and a spirit of giving was her composition. If you asked her for it, she would give it to you. And yes, she was the center of attention and never got in a rush for anyone. Hazel attended school at Nevada County Training School. She loved beautiful, unique items from clothing to antiques and learned at an early age to work for what she wanted. She was employed by Avalon Poultry, Sterling Jewelers, Zales Jewelers, Coby Foods, Firestone, Fred’s Dollar Stores, Beverly Nursing Home, Linda’s Clothing and Bemis Family. Although Hazel was the 2nd mother to all of her siblings, her one and only son, Theartis, was the light of her life. Theartis knew and understood his mother was his most precious treasure. He showered her with gifts, trips, and cars. They shared a special bond. When she could no longer carry him in her arms, she began to carry him in heart. Hazel was a vibrant and active member of The Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. She was church mother, deaconess, choir member, usher, kitchen overseer and whatever needed to be done she readily did it. She loved attending Bible study. Hazel was known for what she knew. Her recitation was her thing: “Ain’t I A Woman” by Sojourner Truth, 1 Corinthians 13, 23rd Psalm, and when Black History Month came along, she was willing and ready to recite what some of us never knew. To her family, she was black history. Hazel was diverse in her look, her style and especially her clear authentic walking cane that she often left in stores. God covered her as she would return to find it still there. Hazel has left so many precious memories. She was a historian for anyone who needed to know what happened in past years. Hazel was a collector of obituaries and often had to peruse through them to share names of relatives with family members who never captured their family history and to share the real name of mothers, sisters, and brothers as many grew up with only nicknames and never knew their real name. It was so important to her that they knew the family history. And how dare we do not remember the lady with the green thumb. Every flower that was dying by her sisters and brothers was revived by Hazel. She talked about us something fierce. People knew she was the flower lady, and she would awake to find ferns sitting on her porch. Sad to say she gave one sister a mother-in-law tongue plant and said it was a sure keeper only to be told and to Hazel’s surprise she killed it. She made sure her plants got sunlight every morning and tender words of love. If you ever tasted her sweet potato pies and her famous cake you know they could not be duplicated. She cooked in large quantities as she wanted to feed the masses. Wow, hospitality was one of her great qualities. She knew how to make you feel welcomed as she opened her home to family and friends traveling from out of state. Hazel is preceded in death by her parents: Ruth Ingram and Bennie Paden; two brothers Jerry Dean Paden and Eddie Norman Paden. She leaves a devoted and loving son, Theartis Wallace of Dallas, Texas, two brothers Chester Dean Paden of Rosston, Arkansas and Harvey Lee (Annie Mae) Paden of Dallas Texas; three sisters Celia M. Durham and Earnestene Johnson of Prescott, Arkansas and Emma Jean Thomas-Brooks (David) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a beautiful bonus daughter, Evelyn Holleman, a faithful traveling friend, Louester Williams; 33 nieces/nephews, 52 great nieces/nephews, 51 great-great nieces/nephews and a plethora of relatives and friends. We conclude our memories by sharing that Hazel was the ‘pitcher’ and we were the ‘glasses’ that she poured into. For the rest of our lives, we will forever acknowledge that our cups continue to overflow with goodness and mercy because of her undying love. A beautiful soul with a heart of gold has exchanged her home and now resides in a mansion not made by the hands of man. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Mar. 30th, at 3:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Willisville, AR, with interment to follow in the McKinney Cemetery in Willisville, AR. Pastor Edward Smith, Sr. is the Eulogist. Visitation: Friday, Mar. 29th, from 1-3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Hazel Marie Paden

September 3, 1937 - March 23, 2024

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Mrs. Hazel Marie Paden

September 3, 1937 - March 23, 2024

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information