Hazel Harvey Obituary

On Friday, April 19, 1935, our beautiful Mother, Mrs. Hazel Rayford-Harvey was born as a blessing from God to the world where she was embraced into the loving arms of Clyde and Estelle Dease in Louin, MS. At that time, Hazel had one brother and two sisters. In time, that number grew to thirteen children.

Mother Hazel, we're told, was a frisky, talkative and lively girl who attended Jones County Training School in Summerland MS alongside her siblings. There was never a question about going to church, in a household where their parents loved the Lord and raised them right, they all went.

Mother Hazel left Mississippi with her then husband, L.T. Rayford, making her home in Chicago, IL, where three of her children were born. Thus, she began her "home-making" journey.

While our Dad was serving in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Michigan, Mother enrolled in business courses and studied hard, still finding time to pamper our brother, who came along later, make clothing for her girls and treat us to walks downtown, and an occasional movie - the things one could afford at that time.

Mother Hazel started her first job with Michigan National Bank, in operations. She never grew tired of learning and moved up to different levels, including the International Currency Division. Her bosses loved her and her impeccable work ethic. One of her last supervisors at the bank wanted her to relocate with his team to California, but she politely declined. Instead, after staying for 30 plus years, she chose to retire.

Part of her DNA was passed to the children, for we surely learned how to keep a job, make decisions and grow in wisdom and grace. Never expecting to, Mother worked over twelve years at IP, and even there, no one wanted her to leave.

Knocking on 90's door, she was also a standby employee at Dollar Tree and loved every moment of it. Another talent she honed was in Real Estate. She was a well educated and well-rounded, humble, sincere woman of God, who loved the Lord with her whole heart and lived the life she taught and spoke about.

Mother was feisty, bossy and loving, all at the same time and she got things done wherever she went and in all aspects of her life. It was in Mississippi that Mother Hazel married Mr. Wallace Harvey and they both became members of First Missionary Baptist Church Biloxi. She brought her "magnetic" personality, her love for the Lord and her desire that none should perish. Under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Eric E. Dickey, Mother served as a Deaconess and as a member of the Women's Ministry. She also ministered as Director of the Church Education Ministry and Coordinator of the Meditation Prayer Breakfast Hour.

Our Mother left this earthly life at the precious longevity of ninety years on Friday, July 11, 2025. Mother Hazel was preceded in passing by her parents, Clyde and Estelle, five brothers, Marshall, Joe, David, Ezekiel and Richard, two sisters, Kathleen and Lizzie, her husband, Deacon Wallace "Wally" Harvey and many other relatives.

Treasuring Mother's Memories and Remarkable Legacy are her Children, Estella Rayford, Grandchildren, Kumasi and Meilani; Alice Simpson (Calvin); Diane Rayford Gregory (Roger), Grandchildren, Giovonna, Carla and Tara; Rodriquez Rayford, Grandchildren, Tony, Latonya and Rodriquez;

Siblings, Annelar Thigpen (the late J. C.), CC "Sonny" Dease (Bessie), Clyde Dease (Peggy), John Dease (Cora), Mattie Barnes; Aunt, Bernice Strong;

Great Grandchildren, Kioni, Kumasi Jr., Liam,

Dominque, Robert, Rodriquez, Mykel, Rico, and Ricky; Great Great Grandchild, Jayla; Her Pastor, Church Family, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, Relatives and Friends.

Acknowlegement

Our Family offers appreciation for your love, comfort, gifts and prayers. Pastor Dickey, FMBC Family, all Sister Churches, Ministries, those on program, Pallbearers, Flower Bearers, Marshall Funeral Home, Creations Ltd., and each of you, we thank you wholeheartedly.

With Love, Thankfulness and Respect

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