Leora McCarrell Hazelbush
Leora McCarrell Hazelbush, 86, passed away November 2, 2017 surrounded by family.
She was born November 8, 1930 in Vernal, Utah to Theadore and Pearl Bell Evans McCarrel. She married Charles Richard “Chuck” Hazelbush on December 2, 1949.
Leora worked as a telephone operator at Mountain Bell, at the Western Adjustment Bureau and Hasty Pawn Shop, and as the secretary for the Superintendent/School Board and office manager at Uintah School District. She was honored by the Teacher’s Advisory Council and Classified Employees at Uintah School District. She always stayed calm, even when it got tough. One day after talking to an upset patron, a coworker found her to let her know that the man was trying to make a long distance phone call to the state school board. She had already informed him that no one could call long distance on the school district phones, not even the her, and he would have to go home to make the call. He smugly told her, “Well, sweetheart, it looks like I’m doing it!” She calmly reached over, pushed the disconnect button and said, “And now you’re not!” She loved each of her jobs and learned many things at each but her favorite part of each job was the people. She always saw the best in people and loved to help others. She was a friend to everyone she met.
Although she enjoyed her job, her heart was always with her family. She often was seen walking through the back door of her home, with her shirt unbuttoned and hurrying to change into her “Good Clothes” – jeans and a sweatshirt! She loved her children, but she adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The favorite treat at Grandma’s house was chocolate chip cookies and milk. She is best known as Grandma by her family. She will always be remembered for her striking blue eyes which she passed on to many of her grandchildren.
She loved camping, fishing, hunting and beautiful sunsets. She was often found tending to her yard and taking pride in her beautiful flowers and rock gardens. She will be greatly missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Hazelbush, her parents, Thead and Pearl McCarrel and brother Lynn McCarrell.
She is survived by sons and daughters: Connie Lea Hazelbush of Austin, Texas, Charles Robert “Bob” and Daleen Hazelbush of Rangely, Colorado, Colleen Rasmussen and Alan and Lisa Hazelbush, both of Vernal. She is also survived by 10 Grandchildren, 32 Great Grandchildren, and sister, Fern Lambert.
Funeral services will be held, Monday, November 6, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Naples 1st Ward LDS Chapel (2313 South 1500 East). A visitation will be held Sunday evening at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home from 6-8pm and Monday 9:45 – 10:45 am at the church. Interment will be in the Vernal Memorial Park under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.
