Hazel Honaker

Hazel Honaker, 93, beloved Mother, was called to her eternal resting place on May 8, 2017. She entered this world on June 1, 1923 in Wilson, TX, born to Roland and Alpha Rhoads. She was one of six children; brothers Joe, Pete and Billy Rhoads and sisters Marjorie Millkin and Francis Noble.

After high school she was accepted for nurse's training at Lubbock General Hospital. She got her scholastic training for nursing at Texas Tech to supplement her student nurse's training. On August 22, 1943, she married Charles Monroe Honaker and continued her nurse's training while Charlie served in the United States Air Corp overseas. After the war, along with their 3 children, they lived in Venezuela, and later, Brazil and then settled in Greeley, Colorado. She took a job as a floor nurse at Weld County Hospital, and after only 6 months was promoted to head nurse. She was selected for Cardiac Care training at the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in California. Hazel helped set up the first coronary and special care units at Weld County Hospital in Greeley, Colorado.

In 1979 Hazel and Charlie moved to Abilene, Texas and she worked at Hendricks Hospital and set up another Coronary Care Unit. Hazel was promoted to Director of Critical Care at Hendrick where she remained until her retirement in 1982.

Hazel was a beautiful seamstress, an avid duplicate bridge player, even earning her Life Masters, and an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Hazel would say she worked hard and she played hard.

In 2010, she moved to Round Rock, TX to the Court of Round Rock, to be closer to her daughters. She continued to take an active part in activities until she moved to her daughter Linda's home in Dec. 2015 until her death.

Hazel is preceded in death by her husband Charles Honaker, her parents and all her siblings.

Hazel is survived by daughter Linda Stevenson and her husband LJ of Round Rock, TX, daughter Janet Higgs of Georgetown, TX and son Charles M. Honaker Jr. of Garland, TX.

Four grandchildren, Stephanie Burgh, Jared Rowe and wife Lori, Darren Rowe and wife Denise, Paul Stevenson, Julie Kirby and husband Leroy.

Great grandchildren: Leana Dunn, Susan and Hannah Rowe, Claire and Sophie Kirby.

Graveside service is Friday, May, 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Elmwood Memorial Park at 5750 Highway 277 South Abilene, Texas.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to Resolutions Hospice Austin, 11825 Buckner Road, Austin, TX 78726.

Service

Graveside Service

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Friday, May 12, 2017
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

Resolutions Hospice Austin
11825 Buckner Road
Austin, TX  78726