Hazel Louise (Fitzger-ald) Elrod, born Nov. 2, 1919, completed her life’s journey April 11, 2013. She had been a lifelong resident of Anderson County, Texas and was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Regester Elrod, in June 1995.
In October 2012 she moved with her son and daughter-in-law to Foun-tain Hills where she resided with them until her death.
In 1953 she was among the first class of student vocational nurses to graduate from Memorial Hospital in Palestine. She was a part of the nursing staff employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Memorial Hospital in Palestine from 1953 to 1958.
Following her training and employment with Memorial Hospital, Hazel was the office nurse with several physicians in Palestine. They included Dr. Brewster Harrington,1953-58; Dr. William R. Knowles, 1958-62; Dr. Harry Havalah, 1962-64; Dr. Robert Cox, 1964-69; Dr. Robert Moore, 1970-71; Dr. Charles Nichols, 1970-71; Dr. Roy Mathis and Dr. C.H. Gregory, 1971-74; Dr. Jack Thomp-son, 1977-1983.
Over the years she came to know so many patients of these physicians that they readily recognized and remem-bered her for having given them their necessary shots.
Following her years with local physicians she served as camp nurse at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center and Dr. Curtis Jordan in Urgent Health Care.
In 1991 she and her husband moved to the farm, Concord Lodge, which had been a part of the Fitzgerald family since 1850. Their son, Dr. Jerry D. Elrod, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Sharon Shaw Elrod, retired there in 1998 where they resided until moving to Arizona in 2012.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and Brushy Creek United Methodist where the Elrod ancestral family held membership over a period of more than 150 years.
Among those surviving Mrs. Elrod are her son and daughter-in-law, Jer-ry and Sharon; her grandson, Joel David Elrod of San Francisco; grand-daughter, Char of Scottsdale; and great-grandchildren Alec, Ani, Holly and Brittney; other surviving relatives include brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. Also surviving are her vigilant canine companions and caretakers, Zebediah, Patton and Isaiah.
A reception was held at Herrington/Land of Memory in Palestine, Texas on Tuesday, April 16. A graveside service will be held at Concord Cemetery Wednesday, April 17, at 10 a.m.
Memorials may be sent to Lakeview Methodist Conference Center or Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix.
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