Hazel Marie Melton Martin, born Oct. 11, 1928 in Bon Secour, entered her heavenly home on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, surrounded by family in her Foley, home, she was ready to meet the Lord and be reunited with many other family and friends.
Hazel was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, J.J. Martin; her parents Lizzie and Phillip Melton of Foley, plus all seven siblings. She is survived by two daughters, Sandra Stewart (Ernie) of Foley; and Karen Balkman (Bob) of Plano,Texas; three grandsons, Walt (Beth) of Decatur; Eric (Kim) of Frisco, Texas; Lucas of Huntsville, and four Stewart great-grandchildren, Tait, Landon, Brooklyn and Claire, many nieces and nephews, plus a loving care-giver, neighbor and “buddy” since 2006, Janet Gartin. As a dedicated wife of a career navy man, she left her family farm to live in Fla, Va., and Md., returning to Pensacola in 1962 after retiring from the Navy.For the past 35 years she and J.J. lived on Hazel’s family property surrounded by other family members. Like her own mother, affectionately known as “Granny Melton”, Hazel loved for people to drop by for fellowship and enjoy a cup of coffee, often served with her famous butter pound cake or anything “just a little sweet”, as she was a gracious Southern host. She was a member of Gulf Shores Baptist Church for many years and transferred her membership in 2008 to Pleasant View Baptist Church, where her parents had been charter members. She was devout and strong in her Christian faith and always shared a testimony of unconditional love to her family, friends and neighbors. Most of her adult life was spent as a supportive wife, loving mother, sister and aunt. In later years she enjoyed working in retail where she took pleasure in meeting people and helping others. Her creative talents were in clothing design, sewing, cooking and entertaining, plus a true passion for flower and vegetable gardening, or just “digging in the dirt” as she would say. The motto that Hazel lived by was “one day at a time sweet Jesus, one day at a time”. Celebration of Life service will be held in the chapel at Pine Rest Memorial Park, Hwy.98 in Foley, on Fri., Nov. 2 with visitation at 1 p.m. followed by the service and internment at 2 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the “Our House” mission program where Hazel enjoyed crafts, games, lunch and fellowship twice weekly at Foley United Methodist Church, 915 N. Pine St. Foley, Al 36535, attn. Gay Seagle, Director.
