Hazel Smith Tyson, age 92, passed away on Friday, May 14, 2021, officially becoming the angel she was at Haven Hospice, following a brief illness. Born Hazel Inez Smith to Mallory Oliver Smith (a former county commissioner) and Mary Green Smith in Hamilton County in 1928. Tyson was married to Lawrence Clinton Tyson in l 946. Tyson was predeceased by her parents and husband, Lawrence and one daughter, Gloria Denise Tyson Carroll.
Tyson was also predeceased by her brothers, Huford, Aubrey, Quinton and Ralph 'Buck' Smith, as well as sisters, Marie, Velma and Susan. Babe, as she was known to family, is survived by her son: Michael W. Tyson (Carol) and daughter Mary Virginia 'Ginger' Cordle; granddaughters: Amy Steed (Aaron), Traci McCormick (Rick), Tracy Chouinard (Jean) and Lesley Keen (Kevin); eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Tyson grew up on a farm in Hamilton County in the Corinth area and attended school in Jennings, Fla. Tyson really enjoyed playing on the girls high school basketball team in Jennings.
Tyson was quite disappointed when she and her parents moved to Live Oak and found that Suwannee County had no girls basketball team. Tyson enjoyed bowling, dancing, big band music and boating on the Suwannee. Tyson worked as a dental assistant for many years for Dr. George A. Lee and later worked several years for Dr. Preston. Tyson was a member of Community Presbyterian Church and loved her church family. Tyson was devoted to friends, family and neighbors. When she was able, she enjoyed her afternoon walks with family and friends, she also loved daily visits from her grand puppy "Poppy." To know her was to love her.
A funeral service celebrating her life was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, at Daniels Funeral Home, Live Oak, Fla., with Rev. Tommy Peterson officiating. Visitation was held prior to the service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Interment followed in Live Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Community Presbyterian Church. Please sign the guestbook at www.danielsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in the care of Daniels Funeral Homes & Crematory, Live Oak and Branford, Fla.