Melvin Hazelwood

Melvin Hazelwood

Melvin Hazelwood, 78, of Fordyce, Ark., and formerly of Tamms, died Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, at the VA Hospital in Little Rock, Ark.

He was born on June 20, 1944, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Perry Clifford Hazelwood Sr. and Sadie Marguerite Randall Wade. 

Mr. Hazelwood was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy, on May 15, 2003. He then married Joyce McHarry on Sept. 4, 2004. She survives. 

He was also preceded in death by one brother, Perry Hazelwood Jr.; and one sister, Jane Hamilton. 

Mr. Hazelwood was a member of Beech Grove Baptist Church in Fordyce.  He graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he received his degree in forestry. 

He loved his profession and the outdoors. He retired from Anthony Timerlands in Bearden, where he worked as a forester for 37 years. 

He served in the U.S. Air Force in security in the Aleutian Islands during the Vietnam War. 

He was a family man and took pride in organizing the annual Hazelwood family reunion. 

Mr. Underwood is survived by his wife, Joyce of Fordyce; one son, Russell (Ruth) Hazelwood of Fordyce; a daughter, Tracy Green of Maumelle, Ark.; two grandchildren, Lawson (McKinley) Green of Maumelle, Ark., and Julia Green of Little Rock, Ark.; stepdaughters Missy Morgan of Wylie, Texas, and Patty Cortesano of Murray, Ky.; stepson Dustin (Cory) Bambic of Franklin, Tenn.; stepgrandchildren Lilly, Colton, Judah, Elias and Ruby; and two sisters, Emma Dell Bennett of Tamms and Sammy (Dennis) Thompson of Affton, Mo.; one sister-in-law, Carmela Hazelwood of Wheeling, W. Va.; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. 

Funeral services were Saturday, Aug. 27, at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce, Ark., with the Rev. Nathan Petty, Bobby Thornton and Ed Givens officiating. 

A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at St. John’s Cemetery near Dongola. Military honors were accorded at the cemetery. 

Crain Funeral Home in Tamms was in charge of arrangements.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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