Hazel J. DeFore, 94, of Fitzgerald, died Thursday, November 10, 2011, at the Fitzgerald Nursing Home.
Graveside services will be held at 2 PM, Sunday, November 13 in the Evergreen Cemetery with Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Saturday evening at the funeral home.
Mrs. DeFore was born February 20, 1917 in Sylvester, Georgia to the late William S. “Bill” and Ella Raffield Jolley. She lived in Fitzgerald most of her life and was retired lunchroom manager at Fitzgerald High school after more than 25 years of service. Mrs. DeFore was a former employee of Lowell Packing Company, Lee Grant Hotel, Frieda’s Grill and The Harris House. She was a member of Arbor Baptist Church. Mrs. DeFore was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed cooking and growing Amaryllis.
She is survived by her daughter, Bettye C. Morgan of Fitzgerald; Grandchildren, Steven (Genny) Rathbun, Butch (Debra) Rathbun, David (Sharon) McMillan, Greg (Terrie) DeFore, Gary (Ann) DeFore, Matthew DeFore, Scott Sanders, Faith (Jason) McDonald, Jenny (Troy) Mitchell, Chris Smith and Jed (Amber) DeFore; 10 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Courtney DeFore of Burkburnett, TX; surrogate daughter, Hattie Pearl Magwood of Fitzgerald as well as several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walt DeFore, daughter, Annette DeFore, sons, Scotty DeFore and Michael DeFore, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Blue-Gray Community Hospice, P.O. Box 1447, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.