Hazel Marie Weatherford Pate

Hazel was born May 26, 1930, to Harry and Letha Weatherford in Lakeland Georgia, the family moved to Lakeland Florida when she was young. Harry was a sharecropper and died early around 40 years old. Harry left Letha with 7 children, Hazel was the oldest.

She attended Carver elementary school and Kathleen High School, where she was an honor student.

When her father died Hazel was around 15 years old and Larry was the youngest around 1 year old. Hazel had to drop out of school and go to work to help support the family.

She married J.C. Pate in 1948 and was married 57 years until his death in 2005.

J.C. and Hazel worked in the citrus canning plants and were involved in organizing the labor union during the 1950's, she was one of the first Union Stewarts and served as the Union Treasurer.

Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, ceramics and doll making. She was devoted to her cat Furby.

She attended the Church of God on Combee road. J.C. and Hazel enjoyed fishing and gardening. They lived most of their lives in Auburndale Florida and retired to Palatka Florida where they continued fishing and gardening.

She had two children Dorothy Lavern Crane (aka. Dotty Fields), and Robert Louis.

She is survived by Robert and his wife Judy Fowler and her son-law Bernard Marcum. She is preceded in death by Dorothy.

She had three grandchildren Michael Fields, Teresa Fields and Brandi Pate. She is survived by Brandi Pate. She is preceded in death by Michael and Teresa.

Hazel is preceded in death by her four brothers. Horace (Junior), Roy, Calvin and Larry. She is survived by her two sisters Louise Purvis and Irma White (aka. Jackie Thornton).