Charlotte Sue Bates Hazel

Charlotte Sue Bates Hazel went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 23, 2023, at her home in Guntersville, Ala., after a yearlong illness. Born in Haleyville, Ala., on January 31, 1944, to John Henry Bates and Mildred Elizabeth Sisson Bates, her early years were spent traveling around the United States as her father did construction work. The family moved to places like San Antonio, Cincinnati, Detroit, upstate New York and even, for a short time, to Canada. At around the age of 10 her family settled in her father’s hometown near Gardendale in Jefferson County. She remained there while growing to adulthood and, at the age of 15, she met the love of her life, Larry Hugh Hazel. After graduating from Mortimer Jordan High School, they were married on September 24, 1962, on the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. After Larry graduated from college the couple moved to Seattle, Wash., where they welcomed their first son James Eric (Ricky), who was born on January 10, 1966. They soon returned to Alabama, settling in Huntsville where they lived for the next 12 years. During that time, they had three more children, David Wesley on December 21, 1966, Pamela Lynn on September 28, 1968, and Valerie Jean on December 30, 1970. In February of 1978 they moved their family south, across the Tennessee River to Morgan County where they raised their family on 10 acres of land they both loved. While working as the Office Manager for a Huntsville construction company, Charlotte returned to college to finish her education. In 1977, she earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). After graduation, she worked first for GTE, followed by a stint as a civilian with the U.S. Army, before settling down for rest of her career with NASA. Her work led her to involvement on many interesting projects, including the International Space Station (ISS) and the Space Shuttle program. Charlotte retired from NASA in 2006. Charlotte lost her life partner, Larry, on November 1, 2008, and, in January of 2015, she moved to DeLand, Florida, to live with her son Ricky and his wife Joan. She moved back to north Alabama to be closer to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in 2018. In 1976, Charlotte became interested in her family history and spent many years researching and writing books on her family, with her primary focus on the descendants of Isaac Carter. She was a member of several historical and genealogical societies including the Tennessee Valley Genealogical Society, Huxford Genealogical Society, Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). From 2000-02 she served as the Alabama Division State President of the UDC. Charlotte was raised in the Baptist faith, attending Gardendale First Baptist Church as a teen. After moving to Huntsville, she was a member of Oak Park Baptist Church and, for many years, New Canaan Baptist Church. After moving to Florida, she joined Calvary Baptist Church in DeLand where she worked as church secretary and treasurer. Most recently she attended Corinth Baptist Church in Joppa, Ala. She is survived by her children – James Eric (Joan Loudermilk), David Wesley, Pamela Lynn (Bill) Thompson, and Valerie Hazel (Michael) Maddox; grandsons Joshua Lynn Stinson (Majesta), David Ryan Hazel (Ivory), Christopher Nathan Thompson, and Alexander Hugh Hazel; great grandchildren Dayton, Kynleigh, Alyssa, and Beau Stinson, and Keenan and Brayan Hazel, as well as many cousins. Funeral services will be held at Gardendale Heritage Funeral Home (2214 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, Ala.) at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 26 with burial to follow at Moncrief Cemetery in Gardendale next to her late husband and near many generations of family members. Visitation will be at Gardendale Heritage beginning at noon. Pastor Josh Hogland, formerly of the Corinth Baptist Church, will conduct the service. First cousin Kenan Benton, who grew up with Charlotte like brother and sister, will provide the eulogy. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Brindlee Mountain Animal Rescue: https://www.brindleemountainanimalrescue.com/donate.html

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Charlotte Sue Bates Hazel

January 31, 1944 - June 23, 2023