Hazel Marie Shuford

Hazel Marie Dorman Shuford passed away peacefully on September 30, 2025, at Hilltop Village Nursing Home in Kerrville, TX after a long and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 88 years old.

Hazel was born on January 14, 1937, in Arcadia Parish, Louisiana, to Ruth and Elton Dorman and was raised in Beaumont, TX. At the age of 19, she married Morris Barber ''Pete'' Shuford in Beaumont. Pete's career with the USDA as an APHIS mounted livestock inspector, known as a ''tick rider,'' took them across South Texas to Mission, Carrizo Springs, Kingsville, and Brownsville before he retired, and they settled in Yoakum.

A lifelong member of the Church of Christ, Hazel faithfully attended congregations in every community where her family lived. Her Christian faith was central throughout her life, and she devoted herself to studying Scripture and attending church regularly.

For many years Hazel was a dedicated homemaker. Once her youngest child started school, she returned to work, first as a cafeteria aide and later in the insurance industry. After her move to Yoakum, she began what would become a 27-year career with Jacobs-Weber Insurance, where she worked until her second retirement at age 82. Her co-workers at Jacobs-Weber provided strength and encouragement during her most difficult season, when she lost her youngest son, Jim, in July 1997, and her husband, Pete, just two months later. Hazel often credited her coworkers, her church community, and her traveling partners Doris Stevens, Alene Lyons, and Sandra Stulgis with helping her through that time.

Six years ago, Hazel moved to Kerrville, where she became a member of the Live Oak Church of Christ. The congregation there quickly became her second family, offering love, friendship, and spiritual comfort throughout her illness. She found special encouragement in the friendship and ministry of Preacher Todd Reichert, as well as the constant love and support from friends Billie Zuber, Hope Looney, and Diana De La Rosa and so many others.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Elton Dorman; her beloved husband of 40 years, Morris Barber ''Pete'' Shuford; her son, James Elton ''Jim'' Shuford; and her brother, Larry Dorman.

She is survived by her son, Robert Shuford of Freer, TX; her daughters, Laurinda Boyd and husband Mike of Kerrville, and Ruth Ann Lynd and husband Greg of Woodville, TX; and her sister, Lura Dorman Luquette of Hamshire, TX.

Hazel was a loving grandmother to Ashley Boyd and her partner, Colin Palmer, of Anchorage, Alaska; Kate Weller and husband Daniel of Kerrville; Paige Hoyle FikFak and husband Vid of Postojna, Slovenia; and Josh Hoyle and wife Haley of Huffman, TX. She was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Brayden, Bristol, and Brooklyn Hoyle; Luke and Lyla Weller; Zara and Anika FikFak; and Lachlan Boyd Palmer.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, at Live Oak Church of Christ in Kerrville, TX. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, at Yoakum Restland Cemetery in Yoakum, TX.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Live Oak Church of Christ or Peterson Hospice in Kerrville.

Hazel's family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Anil Singh and the staff of Texas Oncology, as well as to Dr. James Young, nurses Julie and Sarah, and social worker Shannon of Peterson Hospice, for their excellent care and compassion.