Hazel Lucille Johnson Freeman

On Sunday, June 7, 2009, at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center, the hourglass with its sands of time slowly spilled its contents and with the passing of the last sand went the last breath of our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. Passing into eternity, when a life has been sweet for 94 years, it is as going from one room into a larger and more beautiful one. The essence of one blends itself into the beauty of the other. She was the first born of nine children to David V. and Lubirda Davis Johnson in East Baton Rouge Parish. She was a member of a close, warm, loving Christian family. She was educated in the public schools of East Baton Rouge Parish. She was a graduate of the old McKinley High School, where she graduated with honors. She received her bachelor of arts degree in education from Southern University. She was awarded a master's degree from Columbia University's Teachers College in New York. A woman of remarkable vision, fortitude, charm, grace and dignity, she worked tirelessly in her chosen profession as a teacher and supervisor of child welfare and attendance for the East Baton Rouge Parish school system. She was a dedicated Christian servant of the Lord. She was baptized by the late Rev. Washington "Wash" Taylor and became a member of the Mount Zion First Baptist Church, where she remained until her death. As a very active member, she served in the following capacities: secretary of the church to the renowned Dr. Gardner C. Taylor, Sunday school teacher, president of the Sisterhood, a devoted deaconess and December Birth Month Club member. Her professional affiliations included membership in the L.E.A., N.E.A. and Educators of Yesteryear. She was a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a member of the Baton Rouge Delta Alumnae Chapter for 64 years. She was dedicated in serving her community as an educator, supervisor, political activist, community volunteer and contributor to the arts, civic and cultural organizations in the city. She was a founder of the Community Association for the Welfare of School Children. She received numerous awards, recognitions and certificates. She was preceded in death by her parents; only daughter, Joy Eileen Freeman Hampton; four brothers, Thomas W., Jessie L., Mack B. and Jewel R. Johnson; two sisters, Velma Johnson Tunious and, 10 days prior to her death, her sister Bertha Johnson Brown. She leaves to celebrate the legacy of her life: her son, Elvin Albert Pate Jr. and wife Barbara, of Baton Rouge; two sisters, Lugertie Johnson Whittaker, of Oakland, Calif., and Udieth "Odeal" Johnson Dotson, of Baton Rouge; three granddaughters, Germaine Pate-Thomas and husband Ronnie, of Dallas, Karla Pate McClure and husband Wesley, of Bowie, Md., and Bennifer Pate, of Raleigh, N.C.; five grandsons, Charlie Jr. and wife Kathy, Eric and wife Alexes, David and wife Jennifer, Kori, and Joseph and wife Rose Hampton, all of Seattle; 10 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, including her devoted nephew Anthony Tunious, of Baton Rouge; extended family, friends, longtime devoted caregivers, Michele Ranel and Rose Johnson; and all whose lives she touched so indelibly. Visiting at Mount Zion First Baptist Church, 356 East Blvd., on Friday, June 12, was from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, June 13, a Delta Sigma Theta Omega Omega Ceremony will be conducted at 11 a.m., followed by a religious service at noon, with the Rev. René F. Brown, presiding. Interment will be held in the Southern Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to Scott's Bluff Morticians.