Hazel Reynolds Gantt

Hazel Reynolds Gantt, 86, of George Hildebran School Road, Connelly Springs, NC died Saturday, November 22, 2008 at College Pines Nursing Home following a period of declining health. Born in Burke County, NC on January 1, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Sanford J. Reynolds and Texie Keller Reynolds.Hazel was a member of St. John’s Baptist Church for many faithful years. She was a class of 1940 graduate of George Hildebran High School. She attended Berea College in Berea, KY and earned her associate’s degree from Clevenger Business School. She held many jobs including working at the Fresh Air Market in Hickory, NC. She retired from Valdese General Hospital with over thirty years of service in the admission and business office. Along with her mother, she ran Reynolds Grocery Store for several years. She was very active in genealogy, was a past member of D.A.R., and of the Valdese Pilot Club.She is survived by her sons, William "Bill" Gantt, Jr., and wife, Peggy, and Patrick Joseph Gantt, all of Connelly Springs; brothers, Jerry Reynolds of Glen Alpine, NC and William C. Reynolds, Jr. and wife, Rebecca, of Hickory; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her ex-husband, William D. Gantt, Sr.; a granddaughter, Casey Gantt; brothers, William Lee Reynolds and Bennie J. Reynolds; and sisters, Raye R. Faulkner and Ruth R. Falk.The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 25, 2008 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Harold Whitener officiating. Burial will follow in St. John’s Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.