Hazel Stone Goodyear

Hazel Stone Goodyear, age 93, died October 30, 2011, in Johnson City, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester M. Goodyear. She is survived by their daughters Barbra Goodyear Minar of Solvang, CA; Judy Power Pilsch of Atlanta; Janet Power Smith of Johnson City, TN; one son, Dr. Phillip Goodyear of Niceville, FL; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Hazel was born April 20, 1918, the youngest child of Florence and George Stone of Gulfport. Her brothers, Harry and Hugh, and her sisters, Hilda Stone Tatum and Helen Stone Palazzo, preceded her in death.
A lifelong resident of Gulfport until Hurricane Katrina, Hazel graduated from Gulfport High School, class of 1936. Awarded an athletic scholarship, she graduated from Perkinston Junior College where she coached basketball and track. She worked for the Mississippi Power Company for over 20 years before retiring as executive secretary to the president of the company. Hazel was a dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church and was active in the United Methodists Women and the Wesley Searchers Sunday School Class. She was a member of P.E.O., the Gulfport Yacht Club and the Retired Mississippi Power Co. Employees Club. One of Hazel's favorite hobbies was needle pointing, and she was honored to have one of her creations, a needlepoint kneeler, accepted for the First United Methodist Church altar.
After Hurricane Katrina, Hazel and Chet moved to Johnson City, Tennessee, where they lived at Colonial Hill Retirement Center. While she adapted to living there, her heart and home were always on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Hazel's personal philosophy was that ""Every day is a good day."" Her family was fortunate to have so many goods days with her.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff of Colonial Hill for the care they gave Hazel during the last years of her life. The family also wishes to express appreciation to her personal caregivers for their exception dedication to her comfort and welfare. Their service was a blessing.
A funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Gulfport, on Friday, November 4th, at 11:00am. The family will receive friends one hour before the service. The internment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 2301 15th Street, Gulfport MS 39501, or Mountain States Hospice, 101 Med Tech Parkway, Suite 100, Johnson City, TN 37504.
For more information, please call (228)539-9800.