Born September 6, 1927, to Alfred Gant and Alverta Mae Jackson Gant in Blackburn, Missouri. Hazel Louise Gant was the fourth of seven children. Hazel leaves one brother, Howard Cordell Gant (Gertrude) and one sister, Ruby Gant Powers (Mitchell). She was preceded in death by sisters: Anna Lee Gant Adams (Gene), and Etheleen Gant Buckner (Edmond), and brothers: Alfred Gant (Lucy) and Major Gant (Margaret).

Hazel leaves behind three children: Pamela Garcia Bowren (Ronell), Pierre Gant (Maria), and Earl Gant. Her daughter, Marsha Gant preceded her in death.

Hazel's descendants include 11 grandchildren, 17 great children, and 24 great-great grandchildren. She leaves behind multiple generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Hazel graduated from Lincoln High School in Blackburn, Missouri where she learned everything from typing to reading music. She moved to Kansas City, Missouri and later became a teacher at Linwood Elementary School.

Hazel gave her life to Christ at Freewill Baptist Church at a young age and spent her life playing the piano for that church and others. She was always singing or humming gospel songs. Music was a passion she passed on to her son, Earl.

Hazel enjoyed fishing. As a young mother, whenever her son, Pierre told her he dug up a batch of worms, she would drop whatever she was doing, and they would go to the pond to fish.

She was the ultimate homemaker. Everyone loved her cooking and baking, and she passed her skills on to her daughter, Pam.

Lovingly referred to as "Mother Dear", Hazel took care of many people: her siblings, descendants, nieces, nephews, and cousins, the preschoolers she taught to read, children around her Kansas City, Missouri neighborhood, and the sick or shut-in people she diligently served as a caregiver.

When Hazel departed this earth January 5, 2022, she left a legacy of love.

Services for Ms. Hazel will be held 12:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel.  Burial Forest Hill Cemetery.  Friends may call from 11:00 A.M. until service time Wednesday at the chapel.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc .