Hazel Marie Watson

Hazel Watson, 75 years old, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on December 28, 2024. Hazel was born in Asheville but lived and served in Winston-Salem, NC. 

Hazel earned her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She served her community as a social worker with Forsyth County for over thirty years, where children were her primary clients. 

Hazel was a dedicated and active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Winston-Salem serving in multiple ministries including: the Social Justice Ministry; she served as Trustee and Secretary of the Trustee Board, 4th VP of the Senior Missionary Board. She initiated missionary trips to Guatemala and participated in this mission for over fifteen years where she served at orphanages and developed loving relationships that continued throughout her life. Hazel was a faithful member of the D. Everett Bible Study and was an active participant in the Lott Carey General Mission Association. She continued her mission work at home faithfully serving her church family. 

Additionally, Hazel was a founding member of the Konnoak Hills Neighborhood Watch and Community Association since 2007. She was also a Precinct Judge for the 606 Precinct for over ten years.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Hall Watson and Lloyd A Watson; her brother, Lloyd R. Watson; and step-mother, Elizabeth Crouse Watson. She is survived by her long-time loving friend and partner, Julius C Parker, III; her siblings, Carol Ann Walsh (Frank), Dawn Crouse (Roger Ducker), and Daryl Crouse; nieces and nephews, Lloyd R. Watson, II (Janet), Scott Cole (Sara), Wesley Crouse (Lauren) and Erin Crouse (Jason Baker); sister-in-law, Debbie Crouse; and great nieces and nephews, Christopher, Aaralyn, Kylie, Garrett, Sam and Elle. She will also be remembered by a multitude of loving friends, neighbors and her church family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Hazel's family will receive friends from 2:00 - 2:30 PM at the church prior to the service. A private urn burial will take place at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations to Hurricane Helene Relief, nccommunityfoundation.org/Helene