Wytheville, VA

Hazel Christina Catron Williams

At age 98, Hazel departed this life and completed her journey on February 16, 2018, surrounded by her family.  She began this journey in a two story log house "off the Old Stage Road" near Wytheville on December 20, 1919.  Hazel was the daughter of Nannie Daugherty Catron and Albert Valentine Catron and was the fourth of five children.  She was preceded in death by her brothers, Gilbert Catron and Garland Catron, a sister, Ruth Moore, and her husband, Ellis George Williams.  In the fall of 1924, her family moved to the Crockett community in time for the children to attend Kings Grove Church School.  She graduated from Rural Retreat High School and obtained a teaching certificate from Radford College.  She taught school at Thompson Valley in Tazewell County and at Castleton School in eastern Wythe County.

In June of 1942, she married Ellis Williams and they celebrated 56 years of marriage prior to his death in 1999.  She will probably be remembered best as the "apple lady" because she and her family owned Williams Orchard where she welcomed her customers by name and greeted them with a smile.  When she no longer worked there, she always said that what she missed most was the people…..her friends.  Ellis and Hazel worked hard, but often took time to travel, which both loved.  One frequent destination was the National Peach Convention that was held in a variety of national and international locations.

Hazel is survived by a sister, Erma Robins, of Richmond, VA, and a sister-in-law, Mabel Catron, of Wytheville, VA; as well as her four children:  Martha Hedrick, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert (Kathy) Williams, of Wytheville, VA  and Charles Williams of Nashville, TN.  Seven grandchildren survive: Scott Hedrick, Wytheville, VA, Kristin (John) Shumate of Rural Retreat; Brad (Carolyn) Hedrick of Virginia Beach; Lorri (Patrick) Umberger;  Kevin (Megan) Williams of Wytheville, VA; and Kahler and Karrington Williams of Goodlettsville, TN.  Eight great-grandchildren survive: Zachery (Devan) Hedrick, Austin Hedrick, McKenzie and Mason Hedrick, Casey and Laura Makolandra, Makaela and Bailey Umberger and one great-great grandchild, Gunner Lee Hedrick.  Four step-great-grandchildren also survive:  Meredith and Everett Bugg, and Dallas and Kayla Shumate.  Numerous nieces and nephews survive.

Hazel was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church for over 70 years and served her church community as a Sunday School teacher, part-time pianist/organist, a member of the Morning Glories, and secretary/treasurer of the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery Association for 40 years.  She was also active at the local and state level in the Virginia Extension Homemakers and became a Virginia 4-H All Star in 1937.  She served on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Virginia 4-H Center in Abingdon, VA for 24 years.  She credited 4-H with opening many doors for her throughout her life.  Hazel loved being outside and was often seen working in her garden which had as many flowers as it did vegetables.  Some of her other interests included:  making flower arrangements, playing the piano, sewing for herself and her family, which included making prom  and wedding dresses; using the weed eater in her yard till it ran out of gas; and feeding the calves.

The family would like to thank her wonderful caregivers for their assistance over the years:  Arla Miller, Esther Zook, Fannie Peachey, Frankie Wright, Georgetta Wright, Irene Miller, Sharon Sexton, and many others, including the staff from Team Nurse.  Hospice of Southwest Virginia provided compassionate assistance during the last months of her life.

Friends may call at her residence on West Lee Highway.  Services will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 3, 2018, with Pastor Jonathan Hamman officiating, assisted by Vicar Melissa May.  Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  Funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. and inurnment will follow in the St. Paul Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Southwest Virginia 4-H Center, Capital Fund, c/o Robin Raines, 25236 Hillman Hwy. NE, Abingdon, VA 24210 or to the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery Association in c/o Priscilla Hall,       856 Musser Mill Road, Crockett, VA  24323

Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, VA is serving the Williams family.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at:  www.highlandfuneralservice.com