Hazel Isabelle Evans

Hazel Isabelle Evans was affectionately called, Hazel, SisterHazel, Aunty Hazel, Maa, Mommy, Mom, Grandma. She is the namesake of a queen and she was indeed a queen. She was an extraordinary woman, one of kind, one that was often imitatedbut could never be duplicated. From her early years, she touchedeveryone with whom she interacted in an unforgettable way untilthe final moments of her life. Hazel epitomized the word, "family". She was unmistakably the matriarch of our family. Family was always welcome at herhouse. There was no hierarchy, family was family. If you neededfood, clothing or dwelling, she was the "go to person". In her early years in New York, she instituted the "Sunday Dinner" withimmediate as well as extended family. She arranged picnics, boatrides, hiking and other fun family events.Mariam and Walter Evans were blessed with their fifth child,Hazel on April 10th, 1935 in Georges Valley District, Manchester,Jamaica West Indies. Hazel was born beautiful and was oftennicknamed, "China Doll". She was a pleasant, loving girl whogot along well with all of her siblings and had many friends. Hermother, Miriam , was a God fearing woman and raised all of herchildren in that manner.Hazel attended Georges Valley Primary School, Richmond All ageSchool and Mayday District Secondary School. In July of 1955,she gave birth to her son, Carlton (Vern) before moving to the bigcity of Kingston in order to find employment to help her parentsand other siblings. While being gainfully employed, she was alsoformally trained at the Royal School of Music. Shortlyafter graduation, she was given the opportunity to emigrate tothe United States in 1965. Little did she know how much ofan impact the opportunity had afforded her. The entire family and about everyone whom she encountered benefitted from her actions.Between the years of 1968 and 1969, Hazel proved herself to benothing short of a super woman by working diligently to gain certification in Infant and Geriatric Care and Nursing Assistance aswell as her High School equivalency diploma. She also purchasedher first home in South Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Thishome was a fortress for almost all family members that emigratedfrom Jamaica thereafter. Hazel was in no way selfish about theopportunity to emigrate to the United States that she was blessedwith. She sponsored or adopted most of her family members-parent, siblings, nieces, nephews and other extended family, giving them an opportunity for success in the United States.Between the years of 1980 to 1995, Hazel took an even more important step in helping her family by adopting four of her sister's and niece's children, Petal, Ewan, Alecia and Shauna Lee.In addition to working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in NewYork, because of her love for children, Hazel was a beloved foster parent who fostered at least five children. After several yearsof service at Riverdale Nursing Home in Bronx, New York, sheretired and moved to Ocala, Florida in 1991. Here she continuedto provide foster care, to over a dozen foster children, manywhom called her "mom".Anyone who knows Hazel, know that she was a soldier for the Lord.She was an active and beloved member of her church, Ocala BibleChapel. She volunteered her services with other faithful servants;the late brother and sister Mcghie and the Henrys. Other such as the Wints, Browns, Anderson and several others to several nursing homes in theOcala area where she was greatly loved and recognized.Hazel enjoyed a fruitful life here in Ocala in service for the Lordbefore becoming ill in the year of 2018. She bravely battledher illness like a soldier before succumbing to her illness onSeptember 14th, 2022. Hazel leaves to mourn her, 5 children,5 grandchildren, a sister, Mercelin, a brother, Levi, a host ofnieces , nephews, extended family and close friendsin the United States, Jamaica, England, Canada, Ireland andJapan.As we bid Hazel farewell, at the end of her journey here on earth,we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that she has gained herwings and is now resting peacefully and painlessly in the arms ofher father in heaven. Lovely Submitted By The Family

Hazel Isabelle Evans

April 10, 1935 - September 14, 2022