Hazel S. Collins

Hazel Southerland Collins began her journey on October 11, 1929. Born to William and Alberta Southerland, Hazel was the youngest of six children. From an early age, she showed compassion to others, always looking for a way to make their day a little brighter. Hazel had a vibrant childhood and thrived socially and academically in the close knit community of Magnolia, North Carolina.

Hazel received her early education in Duplin County public schools and graduated in 1945 from Duplin County Negro High School. As the Salutatorian of her high school graduating class, Hazel encouraged excellence in her fellow classmates and challenged them to “rise above the tyranny of ready-made thinking and strike out for themselves into the unknown”. Following graduation, Hazel attended North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, NC.

It was while living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that Hazel met US Army Captain Walter H. Collins of Birmingham, AL. Their love blossomed and in August of 1954, Hazel sailed for Germany, where they married and began their life together. To this union, 3 daughters were born, Adrienne(dec.), Jacqueline and Patricia rounding out the “Collins Girls” to five, with big sisters Barbara and Deloris. Hazel and Walter’s love and devotion endured for more than 45 years.

As a full time homemaker, Hazel kept a busy schedule caring for her children and husband. You could often find her volunteering at school , selling AVON, cultivating her garden, or in the kitchen making her famous ‘apple dumplings or chocolate brownies’. Hazel enjoyed many other activities. She was a member of the Quettes , auxiliary organization of Omega Psi Phi and in later years Hazel became a basketball fan supporting and rooting for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Hazel was an active member of Sayers Memorial United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, where she served in a variety of ministries. Hazel combined her gift of service with her love for gardening and could often be found planting and caring for flowers at Sayers or anywhere someone needed gardening help.

As proud grandparents of five, Hazel and Walter looked forward to spending time with “ the grands” and capturing many of those precious moments in pictures and video. Hazel loved, appreciated and often doted on her son in-laws, Wayne, Wilbur and Gregory.

In recent years, Hazel spent most of her time in Marietta, GA with her daughter, Jacqueline and her granddaughter Cydnee. She became an integral part of the activities for all of the Track and Field events that her daughter presided over. From preparing bib numbers, taking calls, answering questions, proofing reports, etc. , Hazel remained active. This relationship brought her a whole new set of friends and associates whom she cooked for, counseled and enjoyed until she was called home on September, 5, 2011.

Hazel is survived by her loving daughters, Jacqueline Collins of Marietta, GA, Patricia Brown of Eagan, MN, her extended daughters, Barbara J. Ellis of Charlotte, NC and Deloris C. Chisley of Charlotte, NC. Her wonderful grandchildren, Brian W. Ellis of Boston, MA, Alexis N. Brown of Eagan, MN, Austin Brown of Eagan, MN, Christian Ross of Philadelphia, PA and Cydnee A. Luther of Marietta, GA. Her fine Son-in-Laws, Wayne Ellis of Charlotte, NC, Wilbur Ross of Philadelphia, PA and W. Gregory Brown of Eagan, MN. A host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and her partner on four legs, Jaylen.