Hazel Faubion

Hazel Martha Ward was born on December 10, 1925 in Hunt County, Texas to Edgar J. Ward & Annie Gatlin. She was the eldest of four children who grew up in Elmo, Texas. Her parents worked very hard in the fields to provide their family with all their necessities. Her mother was a great seamstress who always made matching dresses for her and her sister Ann. Hazel was very close to her sister, some even thought they were twins being dressed alike and all. As children they entertained themselves outside, playing “Annie over”, reading comics and running around the neighborhood until dusk. One of her favorite pastimes was to run over to the Baptist church with her siblings and playmates and pretend to “play church”. One would be the preacher while the others sat and listened to the “sermons”. On Sundays, she would rush home in the evenings to listen to Frank Sinatra on the radio. During the hot summer months they loved swimming in the gin tank. On Saturdays, the whole family would go into town (Terrell) for the weekly shopping. Occasionally, Hazel’s father would give them .20 cents to catch a feature film at the local theatre and grab a hamburger too! Hazel and her siblings would watch Cowboy and Indian movies with John Wayne or romance and dance films with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Hazel, along with her siblings, also enjoyed entertaining her parents when they’d come home from a long day of work. They would sing and dance to make them smile.

In school, Hazel was very quiet, shy, studious and loved to read. She graduated from Terrell High School, Class of ’43, then moved to Dallas. That’s where she met the love of her life, Lon Faubion. Lon & Hazel married on June 14, 1944 and were stuck at the hip from then on. They had one child, Gary. They worked together for over 45 years at M. B. Kiser Heating and Air Conditioning. Hazel worked as the secretary and bookkeeper, while Lon was the heating and cooling service manager. Together they enjoyed bowling, square dancing, boating, listening to Big Band music of the 40’s. Later, they both joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and were active members for over 10 years. Lon and Hazel loved working in the yard together, and Hazel had flower beds all around the house, that she’d change out every season. She loved all kinds of flowers. She also liked wind chimes, and she had several hanging outside for the breeze to blow and create light, beautiful music.

Lon learned early on in their marriage that “it’s Hazel’s way or the highway!” That characteristic of hers only made him love her more. She had her weekly routine that Lon and Gary knew was a must. Every week, for 50 + years, Hazel would have them take her to the grocery store and to the hair dresser. The hair dresser was an absolute requirement! She frequented the same beautician for 40+ years until the beauty shop burned down. Hazel was devastated! Not only had Lon left this Earth by this point, but now to find a new hair dresser. Her son, Gary, was now on an impossible mission. Who could he find that could do Hazel’s hair, the way she liked it. This was Hazel.

On Tuesday, August 19, 2014, Hazel Martha Faubion was called Home to meet her maker. She left this Earth on her terms, curled up in her favorite rocking chair with a book in hand. She was met in Heaven by her life-long love, her husband Lon Faubion; her parents Edgar & Annie Ward, her infant sister, her brother John Wayne Ward; and “Brigett”. A special Thank You to her caregiver, Carol Rivera, for taking such wonderful care of Hazel for the last five years.

Her life and legacy will continue to be honored and remembered by her son, Gary Faubion and his wife Gracie of Dallas; her sister Ann Rutledge of Rockwall; her grandchildren: Jennifer Ann Faubion and her life partner Kristy Osborn of Aubrey; Jessica Leigh LeBlanc and her husband Todd of Napoleonville, LA; Brian Todd Faubion and his life partner Chuck Johnson of Allen; one great-grandchild, and many more nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends.

The Faubion Family would like to thank M.B. Kiser Heating & A.C. for being such a big part of their life, and to everyone for the condolences and support.