Hazel Pearl Woods was born on October 18, 1941 in Marvell, Arkansas to Jimmy and Lucille Swift, she was the youngest of 10 children born to this union. Hazel moved to East St. Louis, Illinois in 1957, where she attended Lincoln High School. She married Lane Donald Woods in 1959 and to this union was born two daughters, Terrie Elaine Woods of Texarkana, Arkansas and Anita Woods of Swansea, Illinois.

Hazel enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and shared a special close nurturing relationship with her niece Bonnie upon her sister's death and became a motherly figure to her niece that continued throughout her life. Hazel enjoyed watching Perry Mason, watching westerns, Law & Order, playing cards and bingo.

Hazel was a believer of the faith and accepted our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as her Savior and recently reconfirmed her faith. Hazel was a beloved and nurturing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, friend, and neighbor. She embraced, supported, nurtured and helped raise her oldest niece Bonnie Jean Grayson. They maintained a close and loving relationship. Hazel also developed a special relation with her great-niece, Monique Jeans as a loving caregiver over the past 16 months.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmy and Lucille Swift; sisters, Irene Sheppard, Anna Bell Swift, Lillie Mae McGuire, Bessie Lee Mitchell, Alberta Jackson, Sammie Swift, Corine Sullivan, Eddie Swift, James Swift, Isabella Mitchell and Berniece Swift.

Hazel made her transition to eternal peace in the evening on Saturday, October 15, 2022, following a birthday celebration of life gathering in her honor earlier that day with several of her family member and friends present on Saturday, October 15, 2022, three days prior to her 81st birthday.

Hazel will be forever missed and deeply engraved in our hearts. Hazel leaves to cherish her  memory, two daughters, Terrie Elaine Woods of Texarkana, AR and Anita Woods (Ed Cosby) of Swansea, IL; a half-sister Linda Shelley (Cleave) of Oklahoma City, OK and a half brother, Jimmy Swift of Mark Tree, AR; 8 grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.