Hazel Rich

Waynesville, Hazel Mathis Rich, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Maggie Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. A native of Jackson County, she was the daughter of the late Rufus and Fannie Mae Frady Mathis and was also preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. Hazel was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed quilting and spending countless hours in her garden. Hazel will be remembered as a selfless and loving mother and grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Fredia Martin (Jack) of Waynesville; one son, Troy Rich (Tracie) of Canton; two sisters, Audrey Mull (Roy) of Asheville and Rosetta Harris (Paul) of Lexington, North Carolina; two brothers, Ted and William Mathis, both of Sylva; nine grandchildren, Crystal and Cody Pless, Tiara and Alivia Rich, Barry, Billy, and Brett McNeely and Thomas and Christian Purcell; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler, River, and Piper Purcell. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, 2014 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Jerry Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Haywood Animal Welfare Association (HAWA), P.O. Box 992, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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