Mrs. Hazel L. Barnes
April 18, 1936 – October 15, 2021
Mrs. Hazel L. Barnes (85), entered life on April 18, 1936, being born to Mr. Henry French and Mrs. Flester French. She was raised in a home filled with Christian love, spirituality and teaching, along with her siblings. She joined church at an early age. The family of three girls, Ola V, Dorothy and Hazel all made advancements and grew under the direction of their parents, as well as Mr. Alex Richardson.
With the help of Mr. Alex Richardson and Mrs. Flester Richardson, Hazel was able to attend Grambling College, where she graduated with a degree in Mathematics. While at Grambling (1954-58), she did well in her studies; and she was liked by her fellow classmates. She even reigned as the Homecoming Queen for one year.
Eventually, she would add to her Bachelor’s Degree a Master’s Degree from the Claremont Colleges of Claremont, California. She used her education well, as she taught more than thirty years until she retired from Middle School teaching. She held teaching positions in Virginia, California and finally Washington State. In Washington State, she worked at Woodbrook Jr. High School and Clover Park High School. Finally, as an educator, she worked in union negotiation and finance bargaining for the Teacher’s Union. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Her many years of service to education are to be commended. She inspired all of her family toward higher education and hard work. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for what she taught us in this regard.
Mrs. Barnes was a Christian and a member of Mount Canaan Missionary Baptist Church and served as Secretary for many years. And in Washington State, she served under her cousin, Reverend J. D. Stinson, at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church as vice-president of the usher board and on the financial committee for many years.
Several close family members preceded her in death: Her adopted daughter, Vicky Winslow, her husband, Staff Sargent Ivory Barnes, her sister, Ola V French, and her nephews Charlie Winslow and Stephen May. She leaves behind a loving family to treasure her memory, including the following: Siblings: Dorothy Mae May, Regina French, Sonny French, Greg French; Nieces and Nephews: Sukari B. Saloné, Donnetta French, Gail Stephens (James), Hazel Newman (Harold), Willa K. (Willie ) Holmans, Rodney Flagg, Johnny May (Veronica); Grandchildren: Hazel Winslow, Charnay Davis; and three great grandchildren, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins.
She passed away on October 15, 2021 after a very long illness. God in His infinite wisdom chose the time to take her unto his wings for His loving care. Rest in peace, Auntie.
Celebration of life services will be held 1pm, Saturday October 30, 2021 at Scott Funeral Home 1215 MLK JR Way Tacoma, WA 98405
A very special thank you for all of the care and kindness received from Puyallup Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Watch service here Saturday 6:30pm Pacific Standard time
Hazel “Nana” Barnes you will be truly missed. I’m grateful to have been able to spend time with you and bond, I Love you my heart is heavy but God just needed another Angel. Tell my best friend Vicki Winslow I Love and miss her. Until we meet again, in that great heavenly sky. I will hold you in my ❤️😭😥😘
Nana gave us nieces and nephews the encouragement to get a good education. Since she was the first among the sisters to get a college education, we all looked up to her for inspiration. She also helped me with homework when I was quite young and she was just beginning to teach school. She continued to be supportive of me while I was in college and even handled my finances when I went abroad to East Africa while working on my dissertation. She was the person who I trusted to send money from my grant to me on a regular basis. She was always supportive. I remember one time when a huge box appeared on my porch with clothes and toys that she had sent to Alexia. I remember the huge teddy bear that was in the top of that box. And then, when I bought my house, it was Nana that helped me during that first year. She helped me in so many areas of my life. I can’t mention them all. She was my aunt, my nana. We will never forget her.
Your nephew Trea I’ll miss you