Hazel Burt Stowers

Hazel Burt Stowers, 86, of Dawsonville passed peacefully on Thursday, April 23, 2020 in Gainesville, Georgia.

Hazel Wynell Burt and a twin brother James, were born at home in Dawson County Georgia on June 30, 1933 to Luther and Luna Grogan Burt. 

She attended first through seventh grade in a one-room schoolhouse known as the Chumbley School in Juno.  In eighth grade she went to Dawson County High School to complete high school in the eleventh grade in 1950. It was during high school that she met and dated the young Benny Stowers.

After graduation, Hazel trained and worked for almost 5 years as a teller/cashier at the newly formed Dawson County Bank, while Benny attended North Georgia College and the University of Georgia.

In 1954, Hazel Burt and Benny Stowers were married.  He attended the University of Georgia, seeing Hazel on weekends until his graduation in 1955.  At that time, Benny was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force.  Shortly after, Benny, Hazel and infant Pamela (born in February 1955) began the military travels.  In January 1957, in a snowstorm in Big Springs, Texas, a son Reginald was born. They continued travels as Benny went through flight school to become a KC-135 tanker/refueler pilot.  Hazel adapted and enjoyed the travel life with the love of her life Benny.   Together they made many lifelong friends.

In May 1966, Benny and 10 others lost their lives in a plane crash on Okinawa Japan in support of the Vietnam War.  Hazel and the children remained in Benny's last post Albany, Georgia for 2 years before returning to Dawson County to be near the Burt and Stowers families. 

Hazel worked many jobs: sewing and cutting room at the Sweet-Orr Manufacturing, clerk at the Dawsonville Post Office and over 24 years as a computer operator with the State of Georgia.  Her final work was a part-time job at United Community Bank, the ultimate name for Dawson County Bank.

Hazel was a long time member of Juno Baptist Church.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior around the age of 13.  She learned to play the piano and played in church from near the age of 10 until the time of her declining health.  Faithful to her church, she served quietly and in many unusual ways.  Many pastors and preachers will remember how she brought ice and water for them.   She taught her children and many others a life of faith, devotion and commitment.   She remained a faithful widow to Benny for these almost 54 years.

Hazel loved to travel, loved to cook and sew, loved BINGO, and most of all loved her families (natural, church, military and community).

In addition to her husband Capt. Benny Stowers, she was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Melva(Egbert) Tatum, brothers, Rev. Lawton(Aline) Burt, her twin, James Burt and a son-in-law, Anthony Casarella.  Also preceding in death were brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Elton (Mildred) Stowers, Ophelia Stowers Marmee and her in-laws, Hugh and Inez(Gober) Stowers Sr.

She leaves a daughter, Pamela and Michael Hooks and a son, Reggie and Carolyn Stowers, grandchildren, Burt Casarella, Leah Stowers, Clark and Jacee Casarella and Seth and Rebecca Stowers, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Diane Burt, Fred and Drucilla Stowers, Evelyn and Clark Castleberry,  Riley and Randay Stowers, Mel and Zoe Stowers, Frank and LeeAnne Stowers,  a loving host of other family and many wonderful friends near and far.

Pamela and Reggie acknowledge with many thanks Priscilla and Homestead Hospice for their kind and compassionate care for Hazel over these past 2+ years.

A private family service will be held with interment in the Juno Baptist Church cemetery.

Rev. Dennis Bottoms, Rev. Brody Hughes and Rev. Phillip Burt will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations to Juno Baptist Church c/o Ted Bishop 46 Amicalola Drive Dawsonville, GA  30534.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA.