Hazel Elizabeth Curlee

Hazel Elizabeth Curlee, 87, of Hilltop Street, Morganton, NC, died Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Grace Hospital. Born in Burke County, NC on August 7, 1921, she was the daughter of the late William Pinkney Ballew and Brentie Stamey Ballew. Hazel was a member of North Morganton United Methodist Church. She served with the Women’s Army Corps in WWII and was a retired employee of Calvary Baptist Church Daycare.She is survived by sisters-in-law, Betty Ballew of Morganton and Nelle Anderson and Sue Curlee of Tallahassee, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Thomas Curlee; a son, Ben Thomas "Tommy" Curlee, Jr.; brothers, Paul and James Ballew; half-brothers, Charles Poteat, William Ballew, John Ballew, Charlie Ballew, and Horace Ballew; and a sister, Lillian Wade.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at North Morganton United Methodist Church with Reverends Tony Matthews and Paul Christy officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery with military honors to be performed by Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to North Morganton United Methodist Church, 990 Sanford Drive, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.