Hazel Marie Askey Overton

Family-Placed Obituary

Hazel Marie ``Bird' Askey Overton, born in San Antonio, Texas, was called home to be with her Heavenly Father on August 16, 2004. She was born on January 14, 1923, to Mary Elizabeth Lee and Luther Edgar Askey. She received her early education in the public schools of San Antonio, Texas. She came to Austin, Texas, to attend Tillotson College (now Huston-Tillotson College) where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Austin earning a Masters degree in Education. She was one of the first African-Americans to attend and graduate from UT-Austin. Hazel Marie accepted Christ into her life at an early age at St. Paul United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas. After moving to Austin, she became a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where she was active in the United Methodist Womens group, taught Sunday School and summer Vacation Bible School until her health no longer allowed her to participate. She united in marriage to James Everett Overton on July 16, 1940. To this union, one child was born, a daughter, Barbara Yvonne Mayo. Hazel Marie was an outstanding educator in the Austin Independent School District for more than 32 years. She began her teaching career at Bastrop High School in Bastrop, Texas, before coming to AISD. She taught at L. L. Campbell Elementary School before the Austin schools were integrated. After integration, she taught at Dawson Elementary until her retirement in 1982. After her retirement, she continued to substitute for AISD for many years. She pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in college and was an active member for much of her life in the Beta Psi Omega Chapter. She worked in her local professional associations and community organizations throughout her life. For years you would find her working at her polling place on election days. She was a member of a local gardening club, where her love for gardening was fulfilled. Hazel Marie's most important service was to her family, which she cherished and nurtured throughout her life. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Elizabeth Lee; father, Luther Edgar Askey; her brothers, Luther Randolph Askey and Edgar Lee Askey; and her sister, Doris Lamerle Askey Thompson. She leaves to cherish her beautiful memory: husband, James Everett; daughter, Barbara Yvonne Mayo; three grandchildren, Sheri Denise Jackson and her husband, Henry Jackson; Rodney Damon Mayo, and Jacqueline Lynn Mayo; three great- grandchildren, Terrence Jeffrey Holley, Michael Anthony Holley and Alexander Trey-Damon Mayo as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. All memorial contributions may be made in the name of Hazel Marie Overton to Seton Medical Center. Visitation will be Thursday, August 19, 2004, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The wake will begin at 7:00 p.m. at King-Tears Mortuary located on 12th Street. Hazel Marie's celebration of life will be Friday, August 20, 2004, 11:00 a.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1164 San Bernard St. Entombment will be at Assumption Cemetery, South IH 35. The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Maldonado, Dr. Whittaker, and all the nursing staff at Seton Medical Center for their loving care and support of Hazel and her family. (King-Tears Mortuary, Inc.)