Hazel Shirley Fernand

Hazel Shirley Fernand, passed peacefully on March 3, 2025, in the presence of God and family at 101 years of age. She was born on November 29, 1923, to Mamie and Luther Hawkins in Orleans, MI.
She, the youngest of four children, was the first to receive the opportunity to complete high school. She began her education in a one-room school where she would have been the only kindergartener, so the teacher moved her into the first grade.
She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Grand Ledge.
Driven by a strong work ethic, she was employed at local stores as a clerk to help support her mother. She was employed at Ypsilanti Reed Company as a secretary where she met her life partner, Theodore. They were married on December 6, 1947, and raised three children. Hazel was involved with the kids' activities, scouts, sports, and bands. Hazel worked on the election board for many years. She had many friendships and long-time neighbors, having lived in Grand Ledge for over 70 years. She was on a first-name basis with many at the stores she frequented.
She and Ted enjoyed many of their grandchildren's concerts, plays, dance recitals, cheerleading events, special Easter egg hunts, and the many other holidays which make a full life.
She honed her baking skills to a high degree, which became her love language to all recipients. Baking cookies for family vacations (who wouldn't want a cookie for breakfast), deer camp, holidays, dance performances and adult children's college friends. She baked a cake when she was 90 years of age for her youngest son's birthday.
She was an exemplary hostess with beautifully set tables for special occasions, which over the years were many. When not entertaining special occasions, she would bring a great assortment of cookies and candies spread out on to large trays carefully wrapped with cellophane. She would be greeted at the car door with offers to take those trays off her hands so they could be immediately enjoyed by all. That would make her chuckle.
As a young girl, she would accompany her mother on road trips to Illinois to visit the Nelson grandparents as a means of family bonding and chores to be completed. Both had immigrated to the United States. She assisted in house cleaning using a special putty to remove coal residue from the wallpaper in their home.
Not afraid of hard work with some risk, the neighbors would watch with some concern as she hung laundry outdoors or climbed ladders to wash the windows at an advanced age.
She opened her heart to 4 grandchildren, by marriage, and loved them individually and for their unique personalities and talents. Taking them on special shopping trips for birthdays or special events. She was blessed by two more granddaughters through her son Steve.
Hazel was preceded by her devoted husband of 59 years, Theodore Roman Fernand, son Scott Alan Fernand, grandson Douglas Lee Ruble Jr., sisters Sylvia (JB) Holcomb, Irene (William "Bill") Young, and brother Orville Hawkins.
She is survived by daughter Sallie A Fernand-Shears (Tom); son Steven A. Fernand (Jenifer); grandchildren: Laura Barnett (Timothy), Barbara Whitney (Jon), Emily Fernand, Stephanie Sebrell (Aaron), and Sally Brege (Lee); great grandchildren: Alexis Ruble (Taylor), Jade Ruble, Bonnie Milleville (Jim), Isabelle Rowley (Wyatt), Julia Brown, Jocelyn Brown, Marlow Brege, Mallory Sebrell, Theo Sebrell, Norah Sebrell, and Sophie Sebrell; great-great grandchildren: Ivy, Zeke, and Marty.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Independence Village of Grand Ledge for their dedicated service.
A Funeral Service will be held 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, 301 E. Jefferson St, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 with a visitation one hour prior to the service; interment to directly follow at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in loving memory of Hazel Fernand to the Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church, 411 Harrison St., Grand Ledge, MI 48837. For online condolences please visit www.millsfuneral.com
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