Hazel Eatora (Miller) Reed was born March 17, 1934, in Grenada, Mississippi to the union of Laymon Miller and Melissa Golliday. Arthur Richards and Hazel Miller, joined in holy matrimony and produced seven children: Arthur, Mary, Rodney, Donna, Gladys, Gaylon and Andrea.

Hazel was an amazing woman, a humanitarian, a writer, a published poet, a civil rights advocate, community leader, a motivator, and she was a "creative" before the term was popularized, yet Hazel was so much more than her titles. She was a bright light and "wayshower". She was here to "show people the way" to better living conditions, to better schools, better and broader education, and a better life. Though she suffered from chronic pain, she let her light shine brightly, and she encouraged others to do the same. She was a matriarch, neighbor, and a friend. She made a difference! She made this world a better place. She loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, neighbors, and friends. She radiated love and extended kindness to everyone she encountered. She opened her heart, and she literally opened her home to everyone. She would never let us forget the importance of love, compassion, resiliency, and supporting the poor. She modeled the phrase "love your neighbor" while offering kindness and generosity to others. She did not hesitate to encourage everyone to do your best with what you have. Her legacy will live on in each of us.

Hazel was an avid reader and often said her sister, Daisy Hicks, taught her to read when she was just a little girl before entering the first grade. It was not unusual to see her sleeping with her books. Because Hazel had a wide breath of knowledge, she was a frequent "speaker" or presenter at local schools, including St. Theresa Academy, and our local college. She did not have a formal podcast or TED Talk, but she could provide a full discussion, a short sound bite, or popular opinion on almost any topic. Later in life, at Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation she was frequently asked to read the newspaper and share ideas on Current Events. She never stopped sharing. When presented with a topic she would say "I read a book about that", or she would ask one of her children to find a book on the topic. Hazel's children and family frequently delivered bags of books to her on a regular basis.

Hazel was a published poet, she wrote plays for local theaters, and she loved art and literature. In 1978, Hazel wrote Just Livin, Volume 1, a compilation of her early poems. She wrote about the civil rights struggles, race relations, growing old, marriage politics, and nature in general. She continued to write poetry all her life. Hazel loved all forms of literature, but her favorite was Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the few female literary giants.

Hazel was a community leader and civil rights advocate as a young woman, joining boycotts, protests, marches, and bus rides to Springfield, Illinois to voice her opinion about unfair practices.

Hazel was baptized at St. Augustine Catholic Church. She was educated in varies catholic schools in East St. Louis and graduated from high school. Later in life, received mass at Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Hazel is preceded in death by her mother Mellissa Golliday, father Laymen Miller, stepfather John Patterson, sister Tammer Connelly, sister Bennie Hamilton, and sister Daisy Hicks, son Arthur Richards (wife Tina Richards), son Rodney Richards (wife Annette Richardson), daughter Andrea Kay Daniels (husband Tim Daniels). She is survived by children Mary Adeniyi and her husband Sidney Adeniyi; Donna Crosswhite and her husband Dwight Crosswhite; Gaylon Richards and his wife Angela Richards; and Gladys Harden (Lewis).

Hazel leaves many relatives and friends to cherish her memory including over 25 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, in-laws, cousins and other relatives and dear friends.