of Batesville, AR
March 1, 1929 - August 29, 2022
Hazel Roberts Peel, age 93, of Batesville passed away peacefully on August 29, 2022 in Little Rock. She was born in Batesville on March 1, 1929 to Hershel R. Roberts and Dovie (Sims) Roberts.
She was a devoted Christian and a member of West Baptist Church in Batesville, where she was active in the SonShine Sunday School class for many years. She was a proud Batesville Pioneer and attended Draughon School of Business in Little Rock after high school. She worked for several years as a bookkeeper at the International Shoe Factory in Batesville. Most of her adult life, however, was spent as a homemaker, where she excelled at sewing, gardening, crafts, and decorating. She loved living on the farm in Salado for many years, serving as a member of the Salado Extension Homemakers Club. She was also the leader of the Allen Chapel 4-H Club and the Southside Girl Scouts. She loved taking scouts and 4-H'ers on education trips to the State Capitol, to Memphis attractions and to the county fairs. Her spaghetti dinners and her fried chicken suppers were weekly favorites for her children's friends. In 1989, she married her high school sweetheart, Virgil Peel. They lived in Batesville's College Heights neighborhood for many years and she spent countless hours visiting with neighbors and tending to her flowers and trees. She and Virgil enjoyed traveling and were blessed to be able to visit Alaska, Hawaii, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks and numerous other fun places. They liked entertaining friends at the Batesville Country Club and she even tried golf for several seasons. She was a modest woman, and few knew that she'd won the State Senior Olympics medal in Ballroom Dancing during the 1980s. In her later years, she lived at Eagle Mountain Assisted Living Center in Batesville and at Fox Ridge Assisted Living Center in Little Rock. In those settings, she rekindled existing relationships, made new friends and was known as a creative person who enjoyed painting, coloring and beating everyone at Bible Trivia.
She is survived by her daughter, Rhona Weaver Temple and son-in-law, Bill Temple of Little Rock; her son, Randy Weaver of Salado; one granddaughter, Chelsea Weaver Varnell of Southside and two great granddaughters, Laiken Varnell and Landry Varnell of Batesville. Survivors also include Orville and Mary Arms of Charlotte; four nieces, Sherry Holcomb of Denton, Texas, Debbie Stanley of Judsonia, Suzanne Seal of Hughes and Sue Roberts Griffis of Southside; five nephews, Tony Fleming, Danny Fleming, Sammy Fleming and Steven Reves all of Batesville and Kevin Arms of Charlotte and a host of other relatives and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 24 years, Virgil Peel; her brother, Ralph Roberts; sisters-in-law, Mary Roberts and Ann Agee Gates and sisters, Wretha Mae Reding, Christine Reves and Charlene Fleming.
Honorary pallbearers are members of her beloved SonShine Sunday School class at West Baptist Church. The funeral service will be held at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home in Batesville at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2, with the burial following the service at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to West Baptist Church, 1100 N. Central Ave., Batesville, AR 72501 or to the Independence County Humane Society, #5 Environmental Drive, Batesville, AR 72501.
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29 Condolence(s)
Loretta Shell
Thursday, September 22, 2022
So sorry i was unable to attend Hazel's service. I admired her so much. She had a great way with people and always lifted the spirits of those around her. Her dedication to her church and family was to be admired. Even though I hadn't known her long before she moved away her presence stayed with her church family and others. She was a remarkable woman. She will be missed. May our Lord comfort you all.
Loretta Shell
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Pat Headstream Jernigan & Tom Jernigan
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Rhonda, Randy & Chelsea so sorry about your loss of your Mom & Grandmother. She was a beautiful wonderful person. My Mom & Dad (F.B. & Lorene Headstream) were friends of Hazel's. I baby sit Rhonda & Randy when I was a teenager.
Judy Branscum
Friday, September 2, 2022
So sorry to hear of your mother's passing. Much love to all.
Jim & Jennie Leonard
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Hazel and I have been friends for many years. She was a wonderful, sweet lady. Our prayers are with the family.
Betty Burge Cockrill
Thursday, September 1, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with each of your families.
gary rounds
Thursday, September 1, 2022
I remember Hazel back years ago when we worked at the shoe factory. Always had that sweet smile. Prayers of comfort for the family.
Gary & Sherry
Tony and Jill Dockins
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Rhona, Randy and Chelsea,
Thinking of your family and praying for comfort and peace at this difficult time. Ms. Hazel was a classy lady and always had a beautiful smile on her face and a contagious laugh.
Lynn and Lana McCarty
Thursday, September 1, 2022
So very sorry for your loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda Jobe
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Rhona, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious mother. Always enjoyed her visits and chats in my shop. She was a treasured friend. May Our Lord Grant Peace and Comfort to you and your family during this very stressful time.... My thoughts and Prayers are with you, Linda Jobe
Bettie Clark
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhonna, Love and Prayers for you and your family at this time of sadness.
Alan Vickery
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
In our thoughts and prayers,
Phyllis, Alan, Paige, & Andrew Vickery
Zach Mann
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhona and Randy-may your mother Rest In Peace. She was a very special person who always had a ready smile. She was the quintessential lady of Grace and southern charm. Bless you and yours in these difficult times.
Tim & Sharon Thomas
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhona & Randy, we are so sorry for your loss! We loved Hazel so much as we do y’all! â¤ï¸ I know I have so many fond memories of being at your house as kids & then seeing her many times out eating here in town several years ago. She was a Wonderful, Beautiful Sweet Lady & she truly will be missed! Hugs, Love & Prayers for y’all! â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™ Tim & Sharon
Carolyn Buchanan
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
So very sorry! Hazel and Virgil were wonderful neighbors and bonus grandparents for my grandchildren!!!
LISA JOHNSON
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
So sorry to hear of Miss Hazel's passing, it was a privilege to take care of her at Eagle Mtn. Assisted Living. She had a wonderful sense of humor. My prayers are with her family during this difficult time.
Dorthy (McBride) Barnes
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Randy, Rhona , Chelsea and family
My deepest condolences for your loss. Ms Hazel will always be remembered fondly by me . She was a gracious lady who loved her community, Church and family.
Sherry Reding Holcomb
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhona, Randy, Chelsea, Laiken and Landry, the loss of a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother cuts deep. Even though she is not lost as we know she is in Heaven, the loss of hearing her distinctive voice or contagious laugh again is difficult to comprehend at this time. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, sister-in-law. and Aunt, cousin, friend. My prayers are with all of y'all and the entire extended family. May the many years of happy memories bring comfort at this time and when we can all reminisce together Love, Cousin Sherry
Tammie Foreman
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss. Hazel was a truly beautiful woman inside and out. She was such a fixture in my childhood. I know she will be missed here, but no doubt she is singing praises at the top of her lungs.
Betty Gaither
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhonda was so sorry to hear about your Mom we were friends for many years at West had lots of good times with LLL and other things. You and the rest of the family will be in my prayers.
Pam Stephens
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhona and Randy, Im so sorry to hear about your mother/Hazel, I have some fond memories at your house growing up in Salado…she was a classy lady and always looked so pretty, love and prayers to all the family.
Pam Thomas Stephens♥ï¸
Debby Duffy
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhona and Randy I am thinking of you both. Ms Hazel was so good to us growing up. Loving prayers for your family.
Marilyn Varnell
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
It was an honor knowing you, heaven is richer with your presence.
Ina Lee Henley
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
So sorry for your loss... Hazel always had a beautiful smile. I remember her well and she always had a beautiful smile...prayers for your family...
Karen Gammon
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhonna and family, my heart aches at the lose of my dear friend Hazel. We always enjoyed our times together, the four of us. Her knowledge of trees and leaves always amazed me. She so loved nature. She was a very special lady and I will have a Mass said for her.
Joan Davidson
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhona and Randy and family. I have known your mom for many years. She was a grand lady. Prayers for you all and Prayers for the repose of her soul. Joan Davidson
Phyllis Russell
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Rhonda & family. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Hazel but find comfort she’s with Jesus. I loved her, so enjoyed being in Sunday School class with her. I learned a lot from her & she had a contagious laugh. Prayers for you and family.
Brenda Wren
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
So sorry for your loss. Your in our thoughts and prayers.
Harold and Brenda Wren.
Sherry Adcock
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Praying for comfort for the family at this difficult time.