Hazel Cash

Hazel Louise Cash, born September 28, 1930 met her Heavenly Father on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the age of 94. She was known and loved by many friends and family.

Hazel was born in Decatur, Arkansas. At an early age, she trusted Jesus as her Savior. Her love for Jesus led to a life of obedience and service to Him.

After graduating from high school in Gravette, Arkansas, she moved to Kansas City, Missouri where Erma, her sister, had found employment at the Nazarene Publishing House (NPH). Hazel worked at the NPH about 7 years and attended classes at the Kansas City Bible College. The NPH was important for another reason, as this is where she met her future husband, Henry Gillespie 'Gil' Cash, who had moved from Birmingham, Alabama to begin a career.

After their marriage in 1951, her husband was called to serve his country during the Korean War. For a number of years, Hazel enjoyed being a homemaker, raising their two children; a daughter born in 1955 and son born in 1959. Hazel was an incredible seamstress and loved to cook. As their children grew older, Hazel began working at the Nazarene Theological Seminary. She thoroughly enjoyed working at the Seminary.

Hazel and Gil worshiped and served in Nazarene churches for over fifty years in both Kansas City and Birmingham.

In 1973, her family moved from Missouri to Alabama when Gil accepted employment at the Federal Courthouse in Birmingham. Hazel found employment in Birmingham as well, and then she retired in 1995.

Grandchildren were a part of Hazel's life by this time. Known as "Granny", she found much joy in life spending time with each of them. God blessed her with a long life, and she was fortunate enough to see each of them marry and have children of their own. She also has a number of nieces and nephews who loved spending time with her. She always looked forward to their visits.

She and her husband moved to a home in Lake Cyrus in 2003. Hazel quickly made friends with neighbors, and her family is thankful for the way they each took an interest in her well being.

After 55 years of marriage, her husband passed away. She joined Hunter Street Baptist Church where she formed many friendships-some of whom were dear to her into the last days of her life. She enjoyed Bible studies and reading her Bible until her eyesight no longer allowed her to do so. Years ago, she began using an iPad and iPhone, which played a role in keeping her mind active and sharp. Texting as a woman in her 90's was quite impressive!

After her cancer diagnosis in July of this year, ExpectCare became her hospice group. They could not have been any more caring and helpful-we are grateful for all they did!

Hazel's absence from our lives will have quite an impact-unique to each of her loved ones and friends. She has aptly been described as one you could count on to pray for you, loving, kind and caring, warm and friendly, welcoming, a great cook, the best Mother-in-law, and the best Mother her children could have ever been blessed with by God.

Hazel is survived by her daughter Jeanine Payne (Tommy) of Hoover, Alabama and her son Ervin Cash (Fran) of Southlake, Texas. She has been blessed with 3 grandchildren and their spouses-Janet Walker (Chris), Stephen Payne (Meredith), Lauren Ortigara (Dominic). Her great-grandchildren are Brennan and Beckett Walker; Scarlett, Evelyn, Katherine, and Lucy Payne; and Olivia Ortigara. Hazel has one surviving sister, Erma (Hayre) Blackburn of Centerton, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents Mary and Erva Smith of Gravette, Arkansas. Also, preceding her in death were two siblings, Mabel Jordan of Gentry, Arkansas and Houston Smith of Kansas City, Missouri. In 2006 her husband, Henry Gillespie Cash passed away.

The greatest desire of Hazel's heart and her constant prayer and daily witness was for all of her family and friends to have a relationship with the same Jesus who saved her more than 85 years ago.