Hazel Richardson Jackson

            Hazel Richardson Jackson was born on June 28, 1923, to Dessie Greenway Richardson and George Washington Richardson of Hartwell, Georgia.  She was the third of five children and remained very close to her siblings and her nieces and nephews all of her life.

            She was a graduate of Harris High School in Harris, North Carolina. She attended North Georgia College where she was involved in the athletic program, the YMCA (serving as its president), the Home Economics Club and the Women’s Glee Club.  It was there she met her future husband, Eddie Lee Jackson of Calhoun, Georgia.

            While Eddie served in the U.S. Army during WW II, Hazel worked in the Bell Bomber Plant in Marietta, Georgia. When they married, after the war, in 1946, she worked in the administration office of the Georgia Capital while Eddie was in dental school at Emory University.

            Upon his graduation, they moved to Gainesville, Georgia, where Eddie would begin a dental practice.  Immediately, they became involved in the community and the church. Hazel served in the Junior Service League, the Ladies Auxiliary, the Crabapple Garden Club and the Tallulah Falls Study Club.  Together, she and Eddie were active members of the First United Methodist Church in Gainesville, where they were committed to the Open Door class and served as officers.  She was a member of the WSCS (Women’s Society for Christian Service) serving in various capacities of missions.  Hazel grew up in the Liberty Hill UMC and was a devout United Methodist.

            Hazel was also an active member of the following dental auxiliaries:  Hall County, Northern District, Georgia Dental, Hinman Dental Society, and National Dental Society.

            She was preceded in death by her husband and is survived by her daughters, Dr. Nancy J. Davis of Peachtree City, Georgia; Mimi (David) Fox; Kandy (the Rev. Dr. D.B.) Shelnutt,; and son, David (Connie Brown) Jackson all of Gainesville, Georgia; and her sister, Willene Savage, of Huntsville, Alabama.

            She is also survived by her grandchildren:  Martin (Missy Lowrance) Davis, of Atlanta, Georgia; Jonathan (Mary Griffith) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;, Peter (Sarah Hannekin) of Atlanta, Georgia; Allen Fox of Atlanta, Georgia; Stacy E. Fox of Longmont, Colorado; Jackson Fox of Gainesville, Georgia, Meredith (the Rev. Dr. Jordan) Thrasher of Canton, Georgia; Emory Shelnutt of Cumming, Georgia, Dr. Wesley (Melissa Nack) Shelnutt of Cumming, Georgia; and David (Brandy Bradley) Jackson, Jr. of Cave Springs, Arkansas; Meredith Reed and son Joseph of Gainesville, Georgia and  Megan (Matt) Baumbach and their daughter Jaiden of Acworth, Georgia. 

            Her great-grandchildren are as follows:  Grace K Davis, Eddie F. Davis, Georgia L. Thrasher, Elizabeth G. Thrasher, Anna V. Thrasher, Parker B. Shelnutt, Ruby G. Jackson and Hannah C. Jackson.

            The family will have a private burial at AltaVista Cemetery prior to the funeral at 3:00, Sunday, September 24, 2017, at the chapel of Gainesville First United Methodist Church.  The Rev. Scott Hearn and The Rev. Jonathan Davis will officiate. The family will receive guests following the service at the church.

            In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Gainesville First United Methodist Church (2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia  30506) or the Good News Clinic (810 Pine Street, Gainesville, Georgia  30501) or the charity of your choice in memory of Hazel Jackson.

            Online condolences can be made at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30501. 770-297-6200.