Hazel Mae James

1926-2024
Hazel Mae James, born Hazel Mae Southwick passed peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Born August 16, 1926 in Kingsley, Iowa to Earl and Elsie Southwick, she was the second of five children. In her magnificently long life, Hazel was always filled with compassion, independent in both mind and spirit, resourceful, kind and thoughtful. She taught elementary education for 37 years all while raising a family of three with a husband who worked and traveled extensively. Later in life, she loved all her grandchildren, following them to every school play, and special event. I think she saw most of the soccer, football, softball and baseball fields in a 5-state area. She is survived by her son, Clayton Derek James and his wife Sandy Lyon James, their two children, Alicia Lyon Brooksher and her husband Brad and their son Braden, son Dakota and his wife Kaylan. Daughter Leigh Ann Kuykendall and partner David Nance, and her two children Tara Kuykendall and Dylan Kuykendall and Tara’s daughter Ivey James Kuykendall and Tara’s partner Tyler Nelson. Daughter Elisa Michelle McDonald and her four children, Brandon Roel and his wife Melissa and their two children Hunter and Easton, Michael Roel and his wife Katelyn and their daughter Ashley, and sons Shane Roel and his wife Anna, and Kalder Roel. She is preceded in death by her husband Thomas Leigh James, a sister Dorthy McCann, and brothers Harlan, Don and Verl Southwick.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Mayflower Congregational Church.
I enjoyed visiting with Hazel on my Monday route for Edmond Mobile Meals. She was always a joy to talk with. I admired how active she tried to be and what a positive person she was. I will miss her greatly!!
As a volunteer with mobile meals, I was always greeted by Hazel with a smile. We chatted about her door decorations, how cute she looked, and that she happened to always be wearing a favorite color of mine (and hers). She also liked one of my dogs and would have me bring him to the door so she could laugh while watching him. She was a beautiful person who certainly didn’t look or act her age! I will miss her too.