Hazel Baker

Hazel Odell Baker. We say goodbye to Hazel Odell (Coats) Baker, a wonderful, faithful, intrepid, beautiful, and graceful woman who passed away peacefully on 8 September in Graham. One day shy of her 94th birthday, Hazel was blessed with a full life and is now resting in the arms of her Savior. Those who knew her will recall her wit, her spunk, and most of all, her loving and giving heart. Words penned into the front of her Bible, "Look, lean, and leave it to the Lord" encapsulate Hazel's approach to life, which she lived fully, even in times of strife.

Hazel was born September 9, 1921 in Merkel, Texas to the late Ralph B. and Dillie Dovie (Bryan) Coats, and she married Fred T. Baker on June 24, 1939. A nearly lifelong resident of Abilene, Hazel moved in 2006 to Graham where she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and involved in Kum Duble Sunday School Class. She was a lover of the outdoors, and her family has fond memories of Fred and Hazel spending summers in an RV camping near her grandchildren. She also loved cooking, and in her younger years she hosted amazing feasts anytime there was a cause for gathering.

Hazel will be missed by all who knew her, particularly her daughter, Debbie Chamness of Graham; sister, Helen Garner of Abilene; grandchildren, Amanda Curtis and husband, Brian of Fairfax, Virginia, B.J. Walters and wife, Christin of Georgia, Vermont, Benjamin Chamness and wife, Dannielle of Richardson, and Taylor Chamness of San Antonio; and her great grandchildren, Naomi Walters, Bryson Curtis, Ethan Walters, and Levi Walters.  She is preceded by Fred -- her husband of 57 years -- her daughter Jenny Harshaw, her sister June McKinley, and her grandson Christopher Chamness. 

Family and friends are invited to join in services to honor and remember this remarkable woman. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Graham, and a burial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene.