Hazel Bowden's Obituary in Story (as remembered -- some details may not be exactly right) Hazel Birdeen (Melton) (Church) Bowden came to Texas from Tennessee as a young girl - oops, getting too far ahead already! Hazel was born in Daylight, Tennessee on Dec. 3, 1930. She lived with her family on Short Mountain and in other nearby places until both her maternal grandparents had passed. Her father, the late Alex Melton, had picked cotton in Texas as a young man when "cotton was king" and couldn't wait to get back there! Hazel's mother, the late Annie (Deberry) Melton, had promised him she would move to Texas after she took care of her elderly parents and they had passed. On the very day the last parent died, Alex began selling off things to get ready to move! Hazel's oldest sister, the late Mosell (Melton) Holder, remained in Tennessee since she had already married and was settled. The rest of Hazel's siblings rode to Texas on a big pile of belongings in the bed of a little truck. These siblings were the late Joe "Deberry" Melton, Treva (Melton) Blair (not absolutely sure she rode on this first trip - she was married, too), Reverend Garland Melton, and the late James "Ray" Melton. As the youngest child, Hazel rode in the cab of the truck with her parents. Hazel's family in Texas lived on a farm in Maypearl, where she attended school. She was graduated from Maypearl High School in 1948. When her parents were too old to farm, they traded their farm for a house in the city of Waxahachie (they later moved to their house on S. Grand). Hazel married Edward Alex Church on Oct. 2, 1948; he has preceded her in death. Hazel's five cherished children survive her; they are Edwina Birdeen (Church) Hollywood of Plano, (Edward) Michael "Mike" Church of Plano, Patricia Diane "Pat" (Church) Genzer of Friendswood, James "Robert" Church of Farmersville, and Gary Wayne Church of Gun Barrel City - all in Texas. Edwina married Larry Hollywood who passed way too soon in 1985. Mike married Rachel Cavazos, and they gave "Mee Maw" her first grandchild, Michael Glen Church, whom she adored. Robert and Sharon Price married and gave her two more precious and loved grandchildren, Robby and Candice Church. Gary married Kathy Ashmore, who brought three great sons with her; they became Hazel's instant grandsons - Kelly and Steven Ashmore and Jeffrey Stone. Together, Gary and Kathy gave Hazel another beloved granddaughter, Rebecca "Becca" Church. Robert later married Bobbi Renfro Byrd who has a fine son, James Allen. Pat married Larry Genzer, and they gave Hazel a loved set of twin grandchildren, Adam and Laura Genzer. Several of Hazel's grandchildren have married wonderful partners, and some of her grandchildren have children of their own. Hazel has thirteen great-grandchildren, including two sets of twins. Hazel is also survived by a great many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and the very best of friends such as Lucy Beard and Emma Rich. Many of Hazel's remaining kinfolk still live in Tennessee - we can't speak of family love without mentioning them! Hazel also has beloved in-laws in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado. Later in life, Hazel loved and married the late Hershel Bowden on October 11, 2000 and inherited a whole other great family! Hazel quickly loved and "adopted" Hershel's children: Jane (Bowden) and Brad Brown; Ann (Bowden) and Rodney Sturdevant, John Bowden and April, and Chris Bowden. Hazel enjoyed all the rest of Hershel's family, including her faithful brother-in-law, Milford Bowden. Last, but not least, Hazel fairly recently "took up" (as she said) with a pretty white cat she named "Kitty." While taking care of the cat for some vacationing neighbors, the kitty stole her heart, and Hazel "stole" him from the neighbors. Kitty provided precious companionship and entertainment to her. Hazel was a sweet and dear mother, one of the most honored of careers, and a grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, wife, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, homemaker, cafeteria lady, home care provider, church member, cat owner, etc. She was well-loved by all, and as we all also know, she wasn't perfect - as none of us are. Thankfully we are known well and loved, anyway! Hazel went to her eternal home with our Lord on the morning of Wed., Aug. 19, 2015. She had suffered with diabetes, heart and kidney problems, etc. through the years. She died rather unexpectedly to us -- her heart just stopped. In the flash of an eye, she was cradled in Jesus' arms and is having a joyous reunion with all her family and friends who welcomed her there! We sorely miss her on earth with us, but we have faith she is happy and healthy in heaven! Amen and amen.