"Live Courageously Bold! Live in such a manner that at the end of this day, at the end of this year, at the end of this precious life, you can hold your head up high, smile and be proud of a life well lived."

Hazel Wilson, 87 of Burlington, North Carolina transitioned peacefully surrounded by her beloved family on March 19, 2017 at Alamance Regional Hospital.

She was born on November 8, 1929, in Quincy, Florida to parents, Hosie and Annie Johnson (both deceased). She was the third oldest of six siblings: Johnny Johnson (deceased), Lyla Nance Davis (deceased), Willie Mae Goldwire (deceased), Hiawatha Farmer, Hosie Johnson Jr., and Horace Johnson (deceased). She grew up going to school, attending church (where she was baptized at the age of eleven years old) and working in the tobacco fields of Florida in order to help support her family.

Growing up, Hazel knew that she wanted more out of life thus on faith, she moved to Newark, New Jersey in order to create a better life for herself and her growing family of six children: Melvin Kirkland, Delores Akins, Sarah Windbush, Dorothy "William" Van Eaton, Javaicia McMillan and Eric Wilson.

Upon Hazel settling down in Newark, NJ, she found work at Griffiths Electronics where she worked as a machinist for twenty years. Hazel, being the assertive and motivated woman that she was, knew that she wanted more in terms of a career. She knew that she needed a challenge to take her career to the next level. Working at Griffiths Electronics was a stepping-stone to her career at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ. She landed a career opportunity at Bell Labs where she became one of a few selected women to work in the labs creating the first cell phone. She thrived in her career at Bell Laboratories just as she thrived in life. She made a host of lifelong friends at work as she watched her own successful children grow and take on careers of their own in various industries.

Hazel retired from Bell Laboratories in 1994 having left a career of exemplary service. She told her grandchildren stories of her working with lasers and well-known scientists in order to ignite a love of learning, education and a strong work ethic within them. She was a role model of a professional to her children and grandchildren.

After Hazel retired from Bell Laboratories, her life truly took off! She purchased her first home in the heart of Newark, NJ. She traveled every summer with her daughters to various tropical destinations and she always made time for one of her biggest loves, Bid Whist! She enjoyed playing cards like nothing else. She loved playing cards and talking smack with her card playing buddies/competitors.

In 2008, Hazel moved to Burlington, North Carolina, to be with her family. She lived with her daughter, Sarah Windbush while she took time to create new friendships in North Carolina; while spending more time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and growing ever stronger in her faith. Moreover, she made sure that her family knew the word of God and the power of faith as a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC. In addition, she enjoyed baking her amazing sweet potato pies and her world famous dressing during the holidays. As the strong matriarch, she showered her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with everything she had. She truly made sure that everyone in her family was well taken care of.

Hazel is survived by her six successful children, a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, godchildren, nieces, nephews and special friends that will miss her feisty and loving personality immensely!

Hazel led a life well lived. She never wanted for anything and made sure those around her never wanted for anything either. She lived an altruistic life! Her life was bold, filled with laughter, four letter words, sassiness, love, and passion with a fire that this world could never extinguish. "Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure; you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure."

A homegoing celebration will be held on Friday, March 24, 2017 at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 408 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Greensboro. Visitation with the family begins at 11:00 am followed by the service at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.