Mary Hazel Gilbert

Mary “Hazel” Gilbert of Harrogate, Tennessee passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee on Monday, August 7th from complications following an accident. Hazel was born in 1939 to Porter and Grace Brooks. She was preceded in death by her loyal husband James Gilbert, her beloved son Mark, her sisters Annie Brooks and Ruby Brooks Poore and brothers White Brooks, Paul Brooks, Rev. Claude “Jack” Brooks, and Rev. Mack Brooks.

She is survived by a loving daughter, Patty Gail and her husband Virgil Dunn of Tazewell, TN.

a devoted son, Dennis and his wife Connie of Harrogate,

five grandchildren, Chris Hamblin, Logan & Loren Gilbert, and Luke & Colby Gilbert ; in addition to brother Olen Brooks and his wife Sue, brother-in-law Ray Poore, sisters-in-law Henrietta Brooks and Irene Brooks, and a host of nieces, nephews.

Mrs. Gilbert was known for her strong faith, her infectious, sweet personality, and her intense devotion to her family and friends, many of whom she considered family. A member of Pump Springs Baptist Church for 68 years, young Hazel sang as part of The Brooks Family, offering their ministry of music to countless worship services and grieving families for over 40 years.

A housewife and pillar of the community, Hazel served as meal coordinator for bereaved families, providing nourishment to the bodies and souls of grieving people at their time of need. Before there was such thing as “small business,” she also spent years as a cake baker out of her own home, serving her from-scratch, sugary sweet cakes at weddings, showers, and birthday parties all over the area and became known as “Hazel the Cake Lady.”

Despite her visible struggles with mobility due to rheumatoid arthritis, “Aunt Grandma,” as she was known to several of her great nieces and nephews, never lost her optimistic attitude or kind nature. She credits the faith instilled in her by her devout parents for her ability to see the best in life and persevere through its obstacles.

Services will be held at Pump Springs Baptist Church on Wednesday August 9, 2017; reception of friends from 5 until 7 P.M. and funeral service to follow at 7 PM. Graveside service at Riverview Cemetery at 11 AM on Thursday August 10, 2017.

Ministers: Rev. Scott Cannon, Rev. Travis Pressnell and Rev. Bill Duncan

Singers: Tiffany & Seth Oakes and Piano: Chris Hamblin

Pallbearers: Bobby Gilbert, Jeff Brooks, Larry Pressnell, Ronnie Vannoy, Bobby Walker, Troy Poore, Nelson Morris, Tom Brooks and Mike Mullins

Honorary Pallbearers: Dr. George Day, Troy Carey, Pump Springs Adult Sunday School Class, Pace Setters, Marshall Gilbert, James Bolinger and Bill Baker.

Coffey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.