Hazel Gardner

Hazel Mae McLendon Gardner, age 91, of Demopolis, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2015. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Demopolis with the Reverend Carl Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Demopolis with Kirk Funeral Homes Demopolis Chapel directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, William Aucey and Ophelia McLendon; and brothers, Johnnie, Curtis, Lee Elliot and Frank McLendon. Survivors include her sons, Danny Franklin Gardner (Suzanne) of High Ridge, Mo., William Earl Gardner of Jacksonville, Fla., Ronald Lee Gardner (Mickey) of Pelham, Ala., and Charles Edwin Gardner of Demopolis, Ala.; brother, Mims McLendon of Pearl, Miss.; grandchildren, Gregory Gardner (Pam), Laura Gardner, Timothy Gardner, Megan Weinstein (Scott), Crystal Snorek (Adam), Davy Sanders, and Ryan Sanders; and great-grandchildren, Joshua and Ava Gardner, Jackson and Jonah Schmersahl, Mills Weinstein, Coral Snorek, and Tyler Sanders, Gavin Sanders, Carson Sanders, and Austin Sanders. Hazel was a faithful member of the Frist Baptist Church in Demopolis for over 50 years. She especially loved working in the children's nursery. She was active in her Sunday School class and enjoyed helping with the Sunday night cover dish suppers. She was a special hit when she brought her chicken and dumplings. After retiring from Marengo Mills in Demopolis, Hazel volunteered as a Pink Lady at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital and at the Bargain Box in Demopolis. She grew up on a farm and never lost the love of working with a flower garden or a vegetable garden. Hazel enjoyed just being outside working in the yard. Hazel was a natural caregiver and devoted the last 10 years of her life taking care of her husband, Lee, who passed away in August from Alzheimer's. Pallbearers will be Jerry McLendon, Greg Gardner, Tim Gardner, Davy Sanders, Ryan Sanders, and Tyler Sanders. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Demopolis, American Heart Association, or the giver's favorite charity. -