Born on May 26, 1922, in Portsmouth, VA, Hazel was the youngest of five children born to the late Butler Crowell and Emma Jane White Crowell.  She was predeceased by a sister, the late Mary W. McCoy and three brothers, the late Willie R. Crowell, Andrew Crowell and Robert Crowell.  She was educated in the Portsmouth Public School System.  On May 7, 1952, Hazel married her first love, the late Armistead Williams, Jr and from the marriage was born a son, the late Robert Armistead Williams.  She was a loving and devoted mother to Robert.  There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him!   On February 22, 1943,  she married and became the loving and devoted wife of the late John T. Hodges who was a very devoted husband to Hazel and a wonderful father to Robert.

At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior, and was baptized and in 1952 she established her membership at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Portsmouth, under the direction of Rev. Harvey N. Johnson, Sr.   In 1973, she contInued her membership at Ebenezer under Rev. Benjamin A. Beamer.  As an active and supportive member, Hazel served as a member of the Mary B. Johnson Club and the Missionary Society.  Although her illness interfered with her church attendance in her last years, she had the opportunity to meet her new pastor, Rev. Leroy Hill, Jr.  In spite of her circumstances she continued to praise and worship God and was a blessing to many within her reach.  Among the staff at Autumn Care Chesapeake, she was affectionately referred to as “Ms. Hazel, the Woman Who Loves God!”

Having lost her father at a young age she and her siblings dedicated themselves to the care of their mother.  They were a loving and devoted family and one of the things they all had in common was, “The Love of God!”  Hazel, the youngest of them all, would ride the bus to the family home every day to assist in the care of her mother and when it became necessary, she assisted in the care of each of her siblings.  Under her wing Hazel helped to rear three other children as her own, her nieces, the late Jeanette Crowell Perry of Portsmouth, VA, Claudette Crowell McIver Davis of Houston, TX and Ideller “Minnie” Crowell Smith Perry of Chesapeake, VA.

To know her was to love her.  She always had a smile, kind heart and a listening ear.  Precious memories will be cherished by her niece (like a daughter) Ideller “Minnie” Crowell Smith Perry and her husband Preston L. Perry who were both devoted to her care for the past eight years, along with their family, Michael, Jamel, Donnell Smith all of Chesapeake, VA, and Janae Smith of Virginia Beach VA;  a grandson, Dominic P. Williams (Tamerria) and great-grandson, Dominic R. P. Williams of Portsmouth, VA;  a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends.  Special mention includes:  her niece Dorothy Crowell Johnson, Chesapeake, VA and nephew Lynwood Crowell, Suffolk, VA;  nieces, Marcia Colden of Norfolk, VA, Helena Wynn of Portsmouth, VA,  Mareia Pruden of Chesapeake, VA;  a special daughter-in-law, Rev. Dr. Nereussa Williams of Suffolk, VA; daughter-in-law, Marchell Williams; her dear friend who was there for her when she needed her the most, Doris Copeland, Portsmouth, VA…. TO NAME A FEW!!

We will miss you Auntie, Grandma, Cousin, and Friend,

Your heart spoke for itself and your concern for others did the rest!

You gave more than you had to and you loved and served unselfishly.

God has given you sweet rest and peace and today,

We celebrate your life on earth and your journey in Heaven.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2018, from noon to 8 pm at Corprew Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 21, 2018, 11 am at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 728 Effingham St., Portsmouth, VA  23704.  Interment will be held in Roosevelt Memorial Park, 1101 Campostella Rd., Chesapeake, VA  23320.