Hazel Harvey Peace

Hazel Harvey Peace, revered educator and community activist, died Sunday, June 8, 2008, at her south side home. She was a teacher, counselor, dean of girls and vice principal at historic I.M. Terrell High School for 42 years.
Memorial service: 10 a.m. Friday at Baker Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1050 E. Humbolt St., the Rev. Walter R. McDonald, pastor, officiating. Interment: Cedar Hill Memorial Park. Visitation: 1 to 8 p.m. Thursday at historic Baker Funeral Home.
Mrs. Hazel Harvey Peace was born Aug. 4, 1907, to Allen H. Harvey and Georgia Mason Harvey in Waco. She earned degrees at Howard University and Columbia University. She also studied at the University of Wisconsin, Vassar College, Hampton University and Atlanta University.
A graduate of Fort Worth Colored High School at age 13, she came home to teach at her alma mater, renamed I.M. Terrell High, at age 17. Mrs. Peace was a legendary teacher, counselor, dean of girls and vice principal. Her impact on generations of young
black children, their parents and the community will long be felt. Her guidance, wisdom and counsel inspired others to give their best and pursue excellence.
Following retirement from the public schools, she was student affairs director and financial aid coordinator at Bishop College in Dallas for nine years. She also taught summers at Paul Quinn College in Waco, Huston-Tillotson College in Austin and Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View.
Mrs. Peace was editor of the "Texas Standard," official publication of the state teachers association. She was a life member of TSTA and member of Mental Health Association, Fort Worth Retired Teachers Association and National Retired Teachers Association.
Her civic involvement included Southside Neighborhood Advisory Council, JPS Hospital Advisory Board, Park and Recreation Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Women's Center of Tarrant County, United Community Centers, Near Southside Youth Program, Fire Prevention and Education Council of Tarrant County.
Mrs. Peace was a stong proponent of education and literacy and often read to children in a reading program named after her at Bethlehem Center in her community. She was a longtime member of Baker Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she served in the Helen Wagner Bible Class, Wednesday Noon Prayer and study group, Progressive Club and was a generous benefactor for youth activities.
The Hazel Harvey Peace chair at the University of North Texas in Denton was organized in her honor to create a professorship in library science. The Fort Worth Central Library wing for children is also named in her honor. She was honored by countless organizations and agencies for her work in the Fort Worth community, and was selected as a torchbearer for the 2004 Olympics.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Peace, in 1959.
Survivors: Cousin, Jeanie Mansel; extended family members, Kerven Carter (Clara), Turist Venable (Mary), Loyce S. Whitted, Shirley Benton (Samuel), Gleniece Robinson (Thurston),
Marvinette Gray, Lorraine Miller, Jahnie Wright-Williams and Shirley Bolden; her kind and compassionate caregivers, Helen R. Johns, Essie M. Carr, Alice Gardner and Helen R. Johns; and many former students, co-workers in the schools and community and friends.