Hazel Maurice Oakes

Hazel Maurice (Goodrich) Oakes, of Groesbeck, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at the Windsor Healthcare Residence, at age 91. Visitation will be Friday, June 10, from 12:00 Noon until the service begins. The Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, June 10, 2011, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Tracy Sims officiating. Burial will follow in Oakes Cemetery. Hazel was born June 29, 1919 to Davis Coe Goodrich and Florence (Burleson) Goodrich in the LaSalle Community of Limestone County. She grew up there, and graduated from Groesbeck High School. Hazel taught for awhile locally, before teachers were required to have a degree. Hazel met John Oakes from the Donie community on a blind date before he left for World War II, and they corresponded until he was discharged. Then they were united in marriage on May 30, 1946, at Fairoaks. They moved to Houston, where he worked until he was injured, and then they moved to Huntsville and both enrolled in Sam Houston State College. Hazel graduated with a teacher’s certificate. They both taught in Port Lavaca and then moved to Conroe. She taught 3rd. and 4th. Grades in the Conroe I.S.D. until she retired. She was a dedicated teacher who loved working with the children. After Hazel and John retired from teaching, they moved back to Groesbeck, where they both had family in the area. They enjoyed spending time visiting the family, and Hazel loved flowers and plants. Hazel was a very active member of the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck. Mrs. Oakes was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Vera Stewart; and two brothers, Homer Goodrich and Chesley Goodrich. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, John Oakes of Groesbeck; a daughter, Janice Oakes of Houston; three sisters, Louise Reed of Mexia, Mary Beth Stewart of Groesbeck, and Rhoda Dotson of Houston; and many nieces and nephews.