Hazel Ann Law, 73, of Moberly, passed away July 18, 2014 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO surrounded by her family.
She was born November 7, 1940 in Atlanta, Missouri to Ernest Olen Downey Sr. and Mary Ann Shears Downey. Hazel had lived in the Moberly area for over forty years. On December 20, 1968, she married George Law in Macon, Missouri.
Hazel was an amazingly wonderful woman. She was one of the kindest, most caring, loving and giving person you could ever meet. Hazel was full of love; her family and their happiness was of the utmost importance to her.
Born in the small town of Atlanta, MO she was the youngest of 9 children. She was very athletic and her favorite sport was basketball. She marched as a drum majorette in her high school band. In her years of growing up Hazel entertained not only her family but her community with her beautiful voice and natural ability of playing the piano by ear. She won many talent contests throughout the years.
While raising 5 children, Hazel shared her love of people by working in the restaurant industry and was assistant manager of The Red Vest, catering Moberly and Columbia Auto Auctions, manager of the Macon Country Club and Moberly’s own-Law-te’ Coffee House. She was an incredible home-style cook and known for her pies. Over the years most everyone in the area was able to enjoy a favorite food made by her. She made fudge for all her many Doctors and Nurses when she was able. Feeding people made her happy. She fed everyone including persons and their pets on the side of the road. No one left her without being fed or taking food with them. Dependable and hardworking was in her DNA. She also received her MACC Associate Degree in 1988-the same year her youngest daughter graduated from high school.
Anyone who had the pleasure to meet her considered her their friend. She was funny, witty and loved to chat. Hazel liked to travel and spend time with her family. She enjoyed bowling, dancing the Jitterbug and all country music except for Taylor Swift. ☺ She was truly an incredibly selfless person always giving to those less fortunate and she will be terribly missed by all.
Those preceding her in death are her parents, her husband George, sisters; Myrtle Warren, Virginia Downey, Loretta King; brothers Olin Downey Jr., David Downey and Charles Downey.
She is survived by her sisters, Mary Alice Mettes of Jefferson City, and Edith Fern Holder of Independence; children, Terry Christman (Karen) of Indiana, Janet Bagby (Tom) of Columbia, Theresa Speiser (Jeff) of Worthington, Debi Couch of Overland Park, Kansas, Marty Couch of Macon, and Patti Law of Moberly; three children she welcomed upon her marriage to George Law, Debra Schroedel, Gary Law (Christie) and Ronnie Law (Peggy) all of Illinois; grandchildren, Kyle Christman (Jen Stodgell) and Cory Christman of Indiana, Amy Kemper (Jimmy) of Sturgeon, Ashley Bagby (James Wallace) of Hallsville, Allison Bagby of Columbia, Janzen Speiser (Kelsey) of Worthington, Rebecca Humphrey (Jeremy) of Queen City, Kyle Speiser of Greentop, Melissa Speiser, Journee Speiser, and Caden Speiser all of Worthington, Heather Couch and Christina Couch both of Jacksonville, Taylor Couch and Garrett Couch both of Overland Park, KS; great grandchildren, Weston Kemper, Iyan Kemper, Hayden Bagby, Dane Bagby, Hunter Wallace, Carter Wallace, Charli Kitchen, Abigail Speiser, Jordan Speiser and Jocelyn Humphrey; devoted nieces Sheryll King and Lora Llewellyn, extended family and close friends.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 25, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home in Moberly, followed by interment in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville. Family and friends are invited to gather at Immanuel Baptist Church following services to enjoy Hazel’s favorite recipes. Visitation will be from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on July 24, 2014 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Christos Center Food Pantry, 111 North Fifth St., Moberly, Mo 65270
Pathway Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.