Hazel B.B. Brooks

Ms. Hazel Bernice Brown Brooks was born in Harlem, N.Y. on Jan. 27, 1944, to Ruth and James Claybon Brown. She departed this life on Friday, Oct, 24, 2008, in Columbia, S.C.

Hazel received her education from Washington Irving High School in New York. Until her retirement, Hazel resided in New York. She raised her three daughters in Bronx, New York and in later years moved to Mount Vernon, New York. Upon retirement, she relocated to Irmo, S.C., where she resided until her death.

Hazel was an industrious individual who loved children. She turned her love for children into a profession whereby she was blessed to own and operate the ABC Day Care for over 20 years.

Hazel was one of the founding members of the Progressive Church Mission that was started in Mount Vernon, New York, in October 1996. On Oct. 12, 1996, Sister Hazel Brooks became a member of the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Mount Vernon, New York by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, according to Acts 2:38 and afterwards received the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:4. For approximately 3 years, she opened her home to the Progressive Church Mission to hold services and Bible studies. She was a very warmhearted and generous person.

Those left to cherish her memory are three daughters, Wanda Squires (Bertram) of Bronx, N.Y., Lisa Ellis (Norman) of Brandywine, Md., and Crystal Rumph (John, Jr.) of Brookfield, Conn.; two granddaughters, Brittney Ellis and Jaylin Rumph; three grandsons, Terrance Squires, Kenny Patterson, and John "Trey" Rumph III; two brothers, James Brown (Mary) of St. Petersburg, Fla.; Joseph Brown (Mary Frances) of Middletown, N.Y.; a step-sister, Vivian Price of Washington, D.C.; two great-grandsons; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Hazel was also blessed with two very special guardian angels, Fannie Rumph and Ann Williams – there are no words to describe just how much we love and appreciate you!

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at the chapel of J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA. Bishop David S. Johnson Sr., pastor of Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Hopkins, S.C., officiating. Interment to follow at Robinson Family Cemetery, Prince George.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.