Hazel Inez Stitsworth resided in Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2009, in Fort Smith. She was born November 20, 1922 in Barling, Arkansas to the late M.D. Holland and Vera Ethridge Holland. She was 86 years old.

Hazel graduated from Branch High School in 1941, a proud Wampus Cat, as well as Valedictorian. She went on to teach in Branch before marrying Henry Stitsworth on October 17, 1950. Together they opened up H&H Grocery in Fort Smith, where she enjoyed meeting new people and running a family business. She also had quite a fun time running Hazel's Thrift Shop.

She worked for Rainbo and Colonial Baking Companies, and ran a retail bread store for 11 years. She also worked for her brother, Marvin Holland, Sr. for 11 years at the Fort Smith Stockyards.

Hazel was an active leader of the Carnall 4-H, alongside her sons, Mike & Jim, as well as a Boy Scout Den Mother. She was Vice-President of the Arkansas Angus Auxiliary, member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Arkansas Democratic Women's Club, AARP, R.S.V.P., lifetime member of the P.T.A. and member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Smith.

Hazel was a fun-loving lady who never met a stranger. She will be remembered by her family and friends as a warm smile, a big hug, and a good meal.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Henry; her parents; one step-daughter, Patricia Bramlette and two brothers, Leon Holland & Marvin Holland,Sr.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Fort Smith with burial at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Fort Smith, under the direction of the Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home in Charleston.

She is survived by two sons, Michael Stitsworth & wife Karen, of Northfield, MN. and Jim Stitsworth & wife Carol, of Fort Smith; three granchildren, Allison of Washington, D.C., Scott of Northfield, MN. and Molly of Fort Smith; three step-grandchildren, Becky Wunch of Ft. Lauderdale, FL., Kyle Bramlette of Gretna, LA. and Tess Fontanille of Kenner, LA.; one sister, Euna Mae Hampton of Fort Smith; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Marvin Holland Jr., Larry Holland, Steve Hampton, Jerry Hampton, Kevin Kimbrough, and Castulo Chavez.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff Neisler, Clay Binyon, Leon Medlock, David McMahon Sr., Paul Jenkins, Jim Cherry, Allen Hales, Tom Tally, Elmo Price, Dwight Cole, Thomas Hammond, Eric Crouch, James Tankersly, and her friends from Rainbo Baking Company and the Fort Smith Stockyards.

Family will visit with friends 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night at the Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contibutions may be sent to:
The Sebastian County 4-H Cooperative Extension Service @ 535 N. Waldron Road Fort Smith, AR. 72903.