Hazel Virginia Gafford

COMPLIMENTARY OBITUARY

Hazel Virginia Gafford, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and faithful friend, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, at the age of 85. Her life was a radiant testament to compassion, kindness, and unconditional love for her family, friends, and community.

Born on April 14, 1940, in Appomattox, Virginia, Hazel was the cherished daughter of Stephen and Mattie Gafford. From an early age, she was known for her nurturing spirit and joyful heart. She grew up in a large, close-knit family where her deep love of God, sports, travel, and baking flourished. She brought joy and laughter wherever she went and was a natural caregiver whose warmth touched everyone she met.

A proud graduate of Carver-Price High School in 1957, Hazel moved to Connecticut soon after to work as a caregiver for the children of Dr. and Mrs. Blatman. It was during this time that her passion for medicine took root. Determined to make a difference, she pursued her studies in nursing, graduating from the Helen Fuld School of Professional Nursing of the Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York on June 27, 1969, and became a registered nurse shortly thereafter. Never one to rest on her laurels, Hazel later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1976.

On a crisp January day in 1977, Hazel welcomed her greatest joy into the world-her daughter, Alexandra Nicole Albury, affectionately known as Sandy. Hazel poured her heart into motherhood, raising Sandy with devotion, grace, and strength. She created a loving village not only for her daughter but for countless others, surrounding her child with a family made of both blood and bond. From being a Girl Scout leader to organizing cotillion and chaperoning school trips, Hazel made every moment count.

Her love for her family extended far beyond her immediate household. She remained closely connected to her siblings-no distance too great, no task too small when it came to caring for them or her beloved mother. Hazel's heart and home were always open. The warmth she shared filled the halls of her building at 3121, where neighbors became lifelong friends and extended family-The Johnsons, Prescotts, Rhodes/Masons, Craigs, Crocketts, Grahams, Maranons, and Nieveses, all became part of the loving village she built.

Professionally, Hazel excelled as a registered nurse, but her service didn't stop at the hospital doors. She was deeply involved in her church, serving faithfully on the Usher Board, in the choir, VA fellowship group, and at the Soup Kitchen. She believed in walking her faith with action, sharing kindness and care wherever there was need.
A lover of travel, Hazel embraced the richness of cultures and places, always returning with stories, souvenirs, and a deeper appreciation for the world. Yet no matter how far she traveled, her heart remained with her family. Her love was constant, her presence comforting, and her wisdom profound.

Hazel is survived by her devoted daughter, Alexandra "Sandy" Albury Terrell, and son-in-law, Mike Terrell Jr., as well as her treasured granddaughters, Madison and Lexington Terrell, who were the lights of her life. She is also survived by her loving siblings: Rev. James D. Gafford (Loretta), Ann Moore (Raymond), Eleanor Gafford, Inez W. Gafford, Pauline Gilbert (Carson), and Rev. Maxwell M. Gafford.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Mattie Gafford, and her siblings: Stephen J. Gafford (Gwendolyn), Samuel Gafford (Gladys), Rebecca W. Palmer (Richard), Mae H. Hamlette (Larry), Welton Gafford (Wanda), and Kenneth Gafford.

Hazel leaves behind a legacy defined by her unwavering faith, selfless love, joyful spirit, and boundless generosity. She touched countless lives with her laughter, care, and enduring strength. While her physical presence will be missed, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 14, 2025 at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 14287 Richmond Highway, Appomattox, VA