Hazel V. Davis

Hazel Verna Davis, 99, of Golden, went home May 4, 2017.

She was born January 19, 1918 in Lynn, Massachusetts, the daughter of Vern and Harriet (Gebow) Hall.

She was a graduate of Lynn English High School.

On May 16, 1940, she married George L. Davis with whom she enjoyed almost 63 years of marriage. Since George's passing in 2002, she has made her home in Golden, CO with her son and family.

Hazel was a former member of Essex Street Baptist Church in Lynn, MA; East Baptist Church in Lynn, MA; Living Waters Tabernacle in Denver and Abundant Grace Fellowship in Wheat Ridge. She loved the Lord, loved going to church and loved her many friends whom she attended with.

Over the years, Hazel had many hobbies and interests including ceramics, crocheting, sewing and many other crafts. Hazel liked to play her organ, read, and watch the vintage TV shows. Above all, Hazel was a devoted mother, loving and doting grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family.

Hazel is survived by Son, Robert Hall (Leslei) Davis; Daughter, Kathleen Joan (Dana) Goodwin; Eight Grandchildren, Gerard Gates, James (Raymond Kuehler III) Gates, Robert (Linh) Gates, Dana (Tonja) Goodwin, Michael (Jill) Davis, Jonathan (Jessie) Davis, Kaitlyn Davis and Logan Davis; Nine Great-Grandchildren, Dr. Christine (Michael) Horstmeyer, Jonas Davis, Connor Gates, Zander Gates, Gavin Gates, Kendra Goodwin, Trevor Goodwin, Brooklyn Davis and Georgia Davis; One great-great-grandchild on the way; Nephew, Wayne Arthur Holman and multiple nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by Husband, George Lewis Davis; Father, Vern Arthur Hall; Mother, Harriet H. Hall; Sister, Helen Holman and many dear friends.

The family wishes to thank Hazel's primary caregivers Leslei and Bob Davis; private caregiver, Danitza Sheridan; the kind staff at Mountain Vista and the Homebound Ministries of Applewood Baptist Church for their excellent and loving care and attention to Hazel's physical and spiritual needs.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Homebound Ministries at Applewood Baptist Church, 11200 W 32nd Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

To share a memory of Hazel or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below. Thank you.

A Eulogy for my Mother from Her Son

I would like to share a few thoughts about who my mom "is." I say "is" because my mom did not cease to exist on the day of her passing from this life to the next! I believe the Bible "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." (II Corinthians 5:8 NAS).

Time would fail me in describing my Mom. I have chosen five words that remind me of her impact on my life: Caretaker, Comforter, Counselor, Confidante, and Cheerleader.

As a Caretaker - I never felt alone as a child. She cared deeply for me. When bedtime came, she would hold out her thumbs to me. I would take a hold of them and she would lift me to herself. Up to bed we would go where she would listen to my prayers.

As a Comforter - She removed the fear and uncertainty of sickness and injury with her comforting presences.

As a Counselor - Moving away to college left me with questions of uncertainty as to my success. I would always call her collect and she would encourage me to persevere. Her name should also be on my undergraduate degree!

As a Confidante - When I needed a place to stay, she opened her home to me. That lasted for three and a half years. During that time, I changed careers and went back to school and became certified as a classroom teacher. She volunteered in my third grade classroom. All of my students adopted her as their grandmother.

As a Cheerleader - As I continued in my career as an educator, I earned two post-graduate degrees. She was at each graduation watching as I walked and received my degrees. She was indeed my cheerleader on both of these occasions.

Life moved on and my Dad passed away in April 2002. It wasn't quite a year when it became apparent to the family as a whole that it was not good for my Mom to live alone so she came to live with me and my family for the next thirteen years. I must stop her and recognize my wife for the kind and generous person she is for opening her home to my mom.

Then the change came. The five words that I just used to describe my mom became who I was to her.

As Caretaker - Why as caretaker, because she had no one to care for and watch over her? I remember one day when I was getting her up, cleaning and dressing her, and then making breakfast for her, that she stopped and looked at me and said, "I bet you never thought you'd have to do this for me?" No I didn't, but God gave me the love and compassion I needed for her. Again, I must stop and thank my wife Leslei for the many times she changed, showered, and fed my mother. Thanks Les, you are a rare jewel above many!

As Comforter - For the many times it became necessary to repeat myself when she didn't understand what I said, or to explain what was on the television. Dementia is cruel.

As Counselor - When she needed someone to manage her affairs and make the decisions that would impact her life, I became her power of attorney.

As Confidant - When she needed to tell someone that she missed my dad and wanted to see him, I listened.

On May 4, 2017 at 9:30am, my Mom left behind a body that she no longer needed and flew to the arms of her beloved Lord. There, she was reunited with my Dad and the many family and friends that were overjoyed at her homecoming! I was inexplicably overwhelmed with emotion from which I could not rescue myself. When the waves of emotion had finally subsided, there remained a great rock on which was emblazoned the word, "Hope." Then I remembered the words of the Apostle Paul:

"But we do not want you to be ignorant... about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope" (I Thessalonians 4:13 ISV).

If I could talk to my Mom right now, I would ask her if she would be willing to come back for a little while longer so that I could talk with her again. But, I think I know what she would say to me, "No Rob, you come up here!"

So now I take on the final descriptive word of Cheerleader as I celebrate her 99 years of a life well lived and one which has brought glory to God! She is in the presence of the Lord where there "is fullness of joy" (Psalms 16:1 NASB).

Robert H Davis