Hazel LaVelle Kelly

Hazel Kelly, 88, of Lubbock, Texas passed peacefully into glory on December 16, 2024. Hazel LaVelle (Curtis) Kelly Lemond was born in Temple, TX on October 14th, 1936, to Claude Lee and Ethel LaVelle (Saunders) Curtis. The family moved to Altus, OK when Mom was a young child, where she grew up surrounded by family and became especially close to her grandmother, Lizzie Saunders. Hazel's mother operated a nursing home out of their house where Mom developed a lifelong affinity for the elderly and especially "shut-ins." It was a unique upbringing that afforded her a private tutor in the form of a retired schoolteacher resident who helped her with her homework after school every day while her mother was preparing dinner for the residents. Mom graduated from Altus High School, where she played basketball, and attended Altus Jr. College, where she was the only woman in her math classes before moving on to Abilene Christian College in Abilene, TX. Mom became the first member of her family to graduate from college and even somehow managed to do so in only four years with one child and another on the way, having typed and edited all of Dad's papers along with her own. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1958, and delivered their second child the next day.
Hazel met Elvin Earl Kelly, at the Elm & Hudson Church of Christ in Altus, OK when they were young children. Dad said that the first Sunday they attended church after moving to town from the farm he saw two girls, both with long curls - one black and one red, and he determined then and there to marry one of them. Though their romance didn't start until many years later, he made good when he married the redhead on March 30, 1956, at Thomas Street Church of Christ in Altus. Mom and Dad moved to Hamlin, TX after graduating from ACC and then to La Junta, CO where they raised their children, gardens, ponies and various cats and dogs. They kissed passionately every day in the kitchen and continued both of their careers in education. The La Junta High School 1969 yearbook denotes that Mom was teaching both Math and English. Quite a feat to accomplish in such dissimilar subjects. In 1984 Mom and Dad moved to Lubbock, TX where Dad, all too soon, preceded her in death in 1989.
Mom taught 5th grade at Hodges Elementary until 1998 where her favorite projects with the kids were bug collections (we never knew what we would find in her freezer!) and building a motor with her class every Spring. After retiring from the classroom, Mom was recruited to teach upper-level math in the LISD Homebound program for several more years. It was a labor of love, ensuring all of her students who were well enough made it to graduation and those who were not well had something to occupy their minds. Mom also wrote curriculum for the Texas Tech University homeschool program, substitute taught, was active in a professional sorority and mentoring program, traveled extensively, played many hours of Bridge, and performed in the Hallelujah Chorus at home and abroad. She developed a passion and skill for painting many works of art, including ornate individualized Christmas ornaments for all of her many descendants each year. She was dedicated to her family, near and far, and the Wednesday night ministry at Vandelia Church of Christ where she was a member at the time of her death.
In later years, God sent Mom a new love and she married Winston LeMond on August 16th, 2008 at Vandelia Church of Christ in Lubbock. Winston and Mom's retirement years were full of adventure and service to their large family, church, and God. Winston and Mom took great care of each other until he preceded her in death in 2020.
Hazel is survived by her four daughters, one son and two step daughters: Kim Coleen Kelly Baker Thomasson of La Junta, CO, Dawn Kelly Perrin of Lubbock, TX, Kurt Kelly of Hutchinson, KS, Kara (Chris) Knehans of Fort Collins, CO, Darla (Glynn) Wilson of Dallas,TX, Jenna LeMond Tackett and Angela LeMond Manning, and their families, both of Amarillo, TX.
Ten grandchildren: Lanette (Monty) White of Sayre, OK, Shane (Amanda) Baker of La Junta, Kelly John (Joy) Perrin of Lubbock, David Eli (Lesli) Perrin of Lawton, OK, Jessica (Russell) Wasinger of Hutchinson, KS, Zach (Shyla) Kelly of Wichita, KS, Morgan Knehans of Louisville, KY, Alicia Knehans of Loveland, CO, Emma Wilson and Audrey Wilson of Dallas, TX.
Fourteen great-grandchildren: Clay (Lainie) White, Kasie White, Kaylyn Rose, Kaycee Rose, Karsen White, Kate White, Colin Baker, Mattie LaVelle Baker, Liston Baker, Henry Perrin, Preslie Wasinger, Trace Wasinger, Charlotte Hazel Wasinger, Grace Kelly.
One sister: Judy Bunce of Little Rock, AR. Two sisters-in-law: Melba Kelly Anderson Woods of Warner Robins, GA and Jerry Kelly of Norman, OK. And several beloved nieces and nephews.
Hazel was preceded in death by her husbands Elvin Earl Kelly and Winston LeMond; her great-grandaughter, Dakota Rose Baker; her sisters Mary Watson and Claudine Davis; three sons-in-law: Larry Baker, Clint Thomasson and David Perrin.
Hazel's family would like to offer a special thank you to Alice Moreno, mom's caregiver, companion and friend of the last several years.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 03, 2025 at Vandelia Church of Christ.
Please celebrate the life of Hazel by visiting www.sandersfuneralhome.com.