Hazel Gamble

On October 5, 1931, Jim and Anna Danner Wood of rural Hominy, OK welcomed the 5th of their 6 children with the assistance of a midwife She passed away surrounded by her family and closest friends on the evening of Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Fairfax, OK . Hazel grew up in the Hominy area and attended Hominy schools, many years later receiving her GED. Growing up in the depression era caused many people to alter their original plans. She and Bob J. Stephens were married on October 23, 1948 in Hominy and from 1949 - 1956, they welcomed their six children and all the challenges that followed. Hazels first secular job was as the cook for Wildhorse School East of Hominy grades 1-8 and this enabled her to take her youngest pre-school age child, Marty with her and teach him to assist her in some ways as well as have a close relationship with her other children. She did this for several years and her children were so proud that their mother was the cook. She also worked as a grocery clerk at Claudes Food Store in Hominy; Munsingwear as an operator and later supervisor; DCCC as a superintendent of the new garment factory; GHR Mfg at Fairfax as a supervisor; Halliburton at Fairfax and self-employed since 1982 in her own quilting business even though she worked in it part-time since 1978 with the help of her mother. She was a religious person and was active as one of Jehovahs Witnesses for many years. Her faith sustained her through many tragedies and premature deaths that would follow. On February 12, 1976 she lost her first grandchild and first granddaughter, Jason Julie Cordray in an automobile accident. Then on February 7, 1979 her husband, Bob died of cancer. On October 23, 1981, she and Harold Gamble were married in Miami, OK. While Hazel operated her quilt shop at their farm at Doga Creek, rural Fairfax, she worked to make the farm house a home and assisted Harold in whatever way she could. Many people all over Oklahoma as well as several states have quilts that Hazel made - many of the quilt tops were made by Hazel andor Hazel her mother. She was preceded in death by her parents, two grandchildren, Jason Julie Cordray, first husband, Bob, and most recently and very unexpectedly, her second husband Harold in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 11, 2009, a son- Marty Stephens in 1992, a daughter- Anna Monroe in 1996, son-in-law - Mike Monroe in 2004; Martha Mayfield Walker on Feb. 12, 1976 who was like a daughter. Also, a sister -Maxine Rea of Houston and two brothers - Dale and Cecil Wood of Cleveland, OK. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Valerie and Charlie Jones - Wilson, OK Faye and Jim Collins - Cleveland, OK Bob and Brenda Stephens- Norman, OK Kelly and Wanda Stephens- Fairfax, OK Jeannie Stephens Swisher- Collinsville, OK former dau-in-law Tommy Selph- Tuttle, OK like a son Step Children and Spouses: Sherrie and Garry Brewer - Poway, CA Marilyn and Allen Willians -Alvarado, TX Bill Gamble - Fairfax, OK 13 grandchildren: Lee Monroe, Michael L. Monroe, Neil Monroe, Vincent Monroe; Jeremy Collins, Leah Collins; Ashleigh Scarbrough, Shannon Umphrey, Kresi Stephens, Desi Stephens; Bryan Stephens, Kim Stephens; Nicholas Stephens. 11 step grandchildren: Rob Brewer, Jon Brewer; Mike Williams, Allenda Williams; Charlie C. Jones, Shane Jones, Toni Davenport, Paulette Jones-McGeisey; Robert McCulley, Annie Butcher, Audra McCulley. 10 great grandchildren, 24 step great grandchildren 2 step great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters and their spouses: Mavis Chet Gofourth of Parsons, KS and Loretta and Delbert Beaver of Cushing, OK and one sister-in-law - Edna Wood of Cleveland, OK as well as many more relatives and dear friends too numerous to mention. Hazel was very artistic and much of her artwork and poems have been enjoyed by her family and friends through the years. She had many wonderful friends, but a few of her dearest and closest were: Carolyn Frank, Velma Dobbs, Ivy Higgins, Brenda Potter, Jean Hemken and Retha Bays. Hazel gave much of herself and her time to many people and she will be missed by her family and many, many others. She was loved by many and was truly a very unique and beautiful person who did not shy away from hard work. Hazels wishes are to be cremated. A graveside memorial service will be held for her on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fairfax Cemetery with Sam Bain of the Skiatook Congregation of Jehovahs Witnesses officiating. Hunsaker-Wooten will be handling cremation arrangements and other details.