Hazel Marie Garrett

1928 – 2023

Hazel was born to Frank Lawson and Dixie Henderson in Kebler, Arkansas. After finishing high school in Little Rock, she moved to Santa Barbara with her mother and sister, Georgia Mae Gilbert. Hazel lived with her Aunt Bertha and Uncle Frank as her mother moved to the Bay Area seeking work.

As it was her nature, Hazel quickly found work to help the family. After doing domestic work for a couple of years, Hazel met and married Leon “Lightnin” Garrett. In 1949, she gave birth to their only son, Jerome.

Hazel found work at the Santa Barbara County General Hospital, as a Nurse’s Aid for 27 dedicated years. Though she retired and was the “ultimate helper”, Hazel could no longer sit idle and she applied at the City as a crossing guard, soon becoming known as “Miss Hazel”. She was beloved by all the children and families. She served for 25 years until she retired due to health issues. This only slowed her, it didn’t stop her. Being from a family of three, on holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, she would cook enough food for whoever came through her door or just needed a meal. She loved to cook and did most of the cooking for the family that grew larger each year, always getting more and more requests for peach cobbler, banana pudding, or lemon cake.

Hazel never complained or made excuses. She was a woman of her word who lived a life of love and humility. Hazel is resting where she wanted to be – with God, Leon and Georgia Mae.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Leon, and her beloved sister, Georgia Mae. Hazel leaves to mourn her passing: son, Jerome (Bernice); grandsons Patrice and Jerome Ali (Gina), granddaughter, Melika (Dewey); six great-grandchildren, Essence, Serenity, Mariah, Jiana, Elijah, D.J.; loving nieces: Jackie (William) and Sheila; nephews: Dexter and Craig; as well as a host of relatives and friends, which is too many to count.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hazel Garrett, please visit Tribute Store