Hazel Kizer

Hazel Kizer Sept. 22, 1920 to May 21, 2009 Hazel Kizer enjoyed a remarkable life. Her mother and father were Iola Darter Holliman and Carroll Holliman. She grew up in the same small town and same church as her husband, the late Burl H. Kizer, Hollis, Oklahoma. Hazel played basketball in Westview High School (after television came into her life, she loved to watch women's basketball and was a great fan of the Texas Tech Women's Basketball Team). She was Salutatorian of her class and received a scholarship to Draughn's Business College. At the ages of 16 and 17, though, she and Burl decided that they could no longer be separated, but wanted to get married. Burl's father signed the marriage license, to the chagrin of the rest of the family, and they were married May 22, 1927, which allowed the two to begin a lifelong love affair. Living in a farm community, the young couple did whatever they could to make a living. January, 1940, they moved to Lubbock. Hazel cleaned houses and babysat for people while Burl washed dishes in a cafeteria, until he found a job as a salesman at Midcentral Fish Company. Meanwhile, their only daughter Charlotte Ann, was born October 4, 1942. At that time Hazel became a full time mother and housewife. Shortly after Charlotte's birth, Burl went into the Navy and served in the South Pacific, until he came home October 4, 1945. Two years later, April 4, 1946 their first son Kenneth Kizer was born. Three years later, September 3, 1948, their second and final son, Robert D. Kizer was born. The part of their lives that became the glue for their lives and the lives of their family has been their lifelong commitment to the Lord. They were not just members, but actively served in the Christian community at Colgate Church of Christ, College Avenue Church of Christ, Southside Church of Christ, and Monterrey Church of Christ in Lubbock. Hazel was a member of Westside Church of Christ in Round Rock, after her move to the Austin/Round Rock Area in 1998. Hazel was a full-time homemaker, except for a short time as a cotton classer. Her husband, became a building contractor in 1959. In 1969, Hazel began her career as a Realtor. She was named Realtor of the year in 1970. In 1981, she and her husband retired and moved to London, TX., on 23 acres of land edged by the Llano River. They became very active in the Church of Christ, including building an extension onto the church building. In 1987, Burl went home to be with the Lord. Hazel stayed in London for a year and then returned to Lubbock to be with friends. In 1998, she moved to the Austin Area to live the remaining days surrounded by her family and friends. She has been a rock for them in these tumultuous times. She lived at the Lodge at Merrilltown until two years ago, when she moved to The Courts at Round Rock, a wonderful assisted living area, where she was when the Lord called her home. She is survived by her sons, Kennith Kizer and wife, Gwen, and Robert Kizer; her daughter, Charlotte Lacy and her husband Robert; grandchildren: Courtney Kizer, Tonya Thornton and her husband Michael Thornton; Wendy Kizer and her husband, Michelle Perez and her husband, Ramon; Jody Clemmons; 16 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren; and a host of friends in Lubbock, Texas; London, Texas; the Austin/Round Rock area; as well as many others in various parts of the country. The family will receive family and friends Saturday, May 23, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Beck Funeral Home in Round Rock, Texas. Funeral services for Ms. Kizer will be held 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2009 at Beck Funeral Home Round Rock, Texas. Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at Lubbock City Cemetery in Lubbock, Texas.