Hazel Lynn Rozzell

Hazel Lynn Rozzell ran into the arms of Jesus on October 11, 2025, at her home in Oil City. Hazel Lynn, youngest daughter of Gan Washington and Hazel Evangeline (Johnston) Johnston was born in Oklahoma City on June 24, 1928. Her mother passed away shortly after giving birth to Hazel. Gan’s sister and her family, Jessie and Creede Speake and son, Creede Jr, took newborn Hazel home to Graham, OK and raised her as their daughter.

Hazel was active in dance and gymnastics while attending school at Graham. While in high school the local telephone switchboard operator taught Hazel how to run the switchboard and allowed her to fill in as operator when needed. After graduating from Graham High School in 1946, Hazel and her best friend, Ila Mae Terrell, moved to Ardmore and Hazel fulfilled her career dream of becoming a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone Company. She worked there for a short while before leaving to fulfill another dream: that of becoming Mrs. Harold Rozzell.

Hazel and Harold were childhood sweethearts for most of their school years. They were married at the home of Creede and Betty Speake in Milo, Oklahoma on January 25, 1947. Harold and Hazel were married for 77 years when Harold passed away November 25, 2024.

They returned to Borger where Harold was employed by Phillips 66 Petroleum and lived in a shared boarding house with other Graham couples until Harold built them a home in the Rock Creek Addition. Hazel gave birth to twin boys, Jerry and Terry in February 1948. Jerry passed away a few days after birth and is buried in the Milo Cemetery. Harold, Hazel and Terry lived in Borger until September 1948 when they decided to go back home to the Milo/Graham area to be near family. They sold their home and bought their first car with the proceeds of the sale.

They built their next home in Milo and what a gathering place it became for all the extended family and friends. Hazel was an excellent hostess and cook. Her home was filled with people, eating, playing cards and board games. Harold had built her a large indoor barbeque pit on the enclosed back porch, and it was always loaded with ham, turkey or ribs. There was a large storm cellar, and it often served as the ‘eating place’ during stormy weather. Many of their friends didn’t have a cellar and they knew they were welcome at Hazel’s. Many a meal has been eaten in that old cellar while we all waited out a storm.

Hazel was the ultimate Christmas decorator and planner. She could make the anticipation of Christmas Eve almost unbearable. No hints or peeks at presents! There were multiple trees, unlimited gifts for family and whoever might stop by to celebrate Christmas. It was not unusual to have 30 or more people there on Christmas Eve for a huge meal, punch, appetizers, and lots of visiting.

Hazel was a member of the Milo Baptist Church while living in Milo. In 1966, Harold purchased a farm in Oil City, renovated an old home and made it into a two-story, four-bedroom house. The family moved in August of 1966, and Hazel and Harold became members of First Baptist Church of Healdton. Hazel taught adult classes for many years at Healdton First and her favorite teachings were on Revelation. She is remembered by so many as being an excellent teacher of the Bible. They were members of Healdton First for over 50 years. In their later years they moved their membership back to Milo Baptist.

Hazel is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son Jerry Glenn, and her grandson Lynn Pearson. She was also preceded by her siblings: Gan W. K. Johnston, Richard E. “Jack” Johnston, Marjorie Harrington, Mildred Thomas, and special brother, Creede Speake, Jr.

She is survived by her son Terry (Nancy) Rozzell, and daughters Marsha (Ray) Pearson, Nancy Lu Ann (Fred) Wilson, granddaughters, Jodie Rozzell, Tracey (Robbie) Pearson Hixon, Polly Rozzell, Kari (Michael) Milson Sanchez, and Amy Milson. Greatgrandchildren: Grady Hixon, Noah Hixon, Mekenzie Sanchez, and Jordan Milson. Special granddaughters: Charlotte Camp and Jamie Wilson. She is also survived by her brother, Glenn W. Johnston.

Services will be provided by Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Healdton. Funeral services will be conducted by pastor Mike Johnston at Milo Baptist Church on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the Milo Cemetery.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, evening from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Healdton. 

Serving as pallbearers will be her granddaughters, Jodie Rozzell, Polly Rozzell, Kari Sanchez, Amy Milson, Jamie Wilson, and Charlotte Camp.  Honorary bearers will be her granddaughter, Tracey Hixon, great granddaughter, Mekenzie Sanchez, great grandsons, Grady Hixon, Noah Hixon, and Jordan Milson.  

Memories may be shared online at www.alexandergrayfh.com.