Hazel C. Lias

Hazel C. Lias was born Haziel Carnilla Booker on August 30, 1920, the eighth of 11 born to the late John Zebedee Booker and Emily Priscilla (nee Benton) Booker in Corapeake, Gates County, NC. She was the last surviving of her parents and siblings. She was affectionately known to her siblings as "Dump." Grandmom Hazel's parents reared their family as staunch Baptist believers and instilled in their children the severity of the Christian walk. Part of this upbringing was mandatory prayer meetings and restrictions against any worldly activities on Sundays. This, along with strict discipline, gave Grandmom Hazel a firm foundation in abiding by the Word of God and living in its truths.

Grandmom Hazel met and married the late Robert C. Jackson and to this union was born the late Roberta E. Jackson and Robert C. Jackson, Jr., who both preceded her in death in 1995 and 2018, respectively. In 1973, she met and married Jesse L. Lias and the couple relocated from Pottstown, Pennsylvania to Jacksonville, Florida where together they made a home until Jesse's death in 1980. It was through this union that she converted to the Church of Christ and was baptized. She served as a faithful member of the Lake Forest Church of Christ until her health no longer permitted her to attend.

Grandmom Hazel was educated in the North Carolina school system. She, her parents, and her siblings worked together on the farm that her parents owned and resided on 65 acres of land, purchased in full by her father for the sum of $1500 in 1924. She would say about her family that they were not rich, but they were successful and did well because of their hard work and service to others. As a young adult, Hazel joined her older siblings up North where she married, raised her children, and had a career as a factory worker, a seamstress, and in nursing--her occupation until her partial retirement in 1990. After that, she continued to work doing various assignments caring for the elderly in their homes until she was no longer able to do so.

Grandmom Hazel loved family, good food, and music. She admonished her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren to "always treat people nice;" she was indeed a favored and loved auntie, cousin, and grandmother. A few of her anecdotal sayings were "Bless your heart!" and "Why, thank you!" Her friends, family, and neighbors loved her fun-loving ways and lovingly tolerated her very blunt and direct comments and criticisms with laughter and a "yes ma'am." She really knew how to shut you up and straighten you out! She would often snap with a quick "Aw hush!", "I wish you would, I'll slap you!", or a direct "Shut up!" She was known by all for her quick wit, sassy, feisty, and determined spirit. Grandmom Hazel was a generous giver and always showed hospitality towards anyone visiting or just in need of a helping hand.

Hazel leaves to cherish her memory and rejoice in her triumph four grandchildren, Karin C. Gladney of New Castle, Delaware; Linda T. Avery of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania; Jameel K. Thompson of Middletown, Connecticut; and Robert J. Biddle (Melissa) of Lebanon, Pennsylvania; 19 great-grandchildren: Ricky (Carmella), Lateya, David (Samaria), Geneya, Neal, Aaron, Lynaya, Ramiq, Ceana, Nyjul, Crystal, Dominique (Bryan), Aleya, Zakeya, Janessa, Taja, Ivy, Kiara, and Samara; 31 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, extended family, and friends. Previous Events


Celebration of Life


SEP 23. 3:00 PM (ET)

House of Wright Mortuary - Wilmington
208 East 35th Street
Wilmington, DE 19802

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