Hazel Irene Gray

Hazel Irene Gray passed away on Friday, December 30, 2022 after living a full, blessed life at the age of 97. Hazel was born in her family’s home in Daingerfield, Texas, on September 2, 1925 to Richard Herman and Icie Venable.

Hazel grew up in East Texas as her parents worked as sharecroppers and in the lumber yard, and she shared stories of picking cotton. Icie later married Seely “Roy” Terwillger and raised the ten siblings together. A caretaker even at an early age, Hazel also helped raise her brothers and sisters as the oldest daughter.

Hazel and Earnest met while working in a cantaloupe patch in Colleyville and married on June 29, 1942. Together they had four boys – Hubert, Milborn, and twins Dearl and Earl. They also welcomed Ronnie, Donna, and Dianne Hawthorne into their home. They lived in Roanoke, Colleyville, and Buffalo Springs, and Hazel moved to Justin in 1998.

Family meant the world to her, and she kept strong ties loving, supporting, and cooking for those dearest to her. Celebrations and family gatherings were treasured, especially those centered around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the annual Venable Family Reunion at Beavers Bend.

Through the years, they were blessed with 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 20 great-great grandchildren. Hazel and Earnest were married for 52 loving years before he passed away on May 20, 1994.

Hazel Gray is survived by her children Hubert James and wife Liz of Bellevue, Texas; Jesse Milborn and wife Clay of Roanoke, Texas; Floyd Earl and wife Linda of Justin, Texas; and Lloyd Dearl and wife Joyce of Justin, Texas; and siblings Jimmy Vernon “J.V.” of Muskogee, Oklahoma and Earl “Gene” of Mena, Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by her father Seely “Roy” Venable; mother Icie Terwillger; husband Earnest Gray; siblings James Arthur, Helen, Richard Herman “J.R.”, Eddieree, Billie Joe, Annie Fay, and Charles; and granddaughter Sherry Fitzgerald.

The visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Monday, January 9, 2023 at Lucas Funeral Home at 1601 S. Main Street, Keller, Texas. The funeral service will be 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at the funeral home.

Hazel's great-grandsons will serve as her pallbearers.