Obit of Matthews, Hazel Josie (Dyer) (m320) - Cleveland County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 16 Jul 2002 Return to Cleveland County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/cleveland/cleveland.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Matthews, Hazel Josie (Dyer) Hazel Josie (Dyer) Matthews, 85, died Sunday, July 14 in her home with Chester her husband of 68 years by her side. Hazel, the only child of Sallie Virginia (Taylor) Dyer and Melvin Ross Dyer, was born September 18, 1916 on her family's farm, one mile south of Moore near the Santa Fe railroad tracks. Her family lived on farms in the Moore area until 1928 when they moved into Moore where her parents built the first brick house in Moore. Hazel lived within a few miles of her birthplace all her life and attended the Moore schools, graduating in 1934. Hazel and Chester's courtship began in 1933 when they both sang lead parts in the school operetta. They married in June of 1934 and lived a loving and committed marriage that was forever faithful until death. Hazel began working with Chester in the family business, Sooner Distributors, Inc., when their daughters were in Junior High, leaving home when the girls left for school and returning to meet them after school. She remained active in the business until recently when poor health kept her home. Hazel had been an active member of Capitol Hill Baptist Church since 1946 and taught in the Children's Department for over 50 years. She was a dedicated teacher and loved all of 'Our Children' as she called them. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Chester and daughters, Eileen Fox and Kathleen Gray and husband Kenney, all of Oklahoma City. Surviving grandsons and their families include Eric and Jamey Fox and sons Carter and Grant and daughter Kennedy of Tulsa; Kendall and Pauline Gray and daughter Emma of Houston, TX; and Stephen and Jana Gray and daughter Hannah of Mansfield, TX. She is preceded in death by her parents, Sallie and Mel Dyer; grandsons, Brian and Kevin Fox; and great grandsons Cody, Cory and Caleb Fox. Services will be held Tuesday, July 16, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, 304 SW 134, Oklahoma City. To honor Hazel's life memorials may be made to the children and youth ministries at the church. VONDEL L. SMITH & SON MORTUARY 6934 S. Western 634-1439 Published in the Oklahoman on 7/16/2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Cleveland County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/cleveland/cleveland.html