Sweet Hazel, 87, died May 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was the daughter of Roachell and Emma Brigman.
She was born July 15, 1937,in Cheraw, South Carolina and lived on a farm in Wallace, South Carolina, with her parents and 11 siblings.
She always told such sweet stories of her time on the farm, good times and hard times. After the baby of the family died at 7 days old, Hazel was the youngest child. They all had jobs to keep the farm running smoothly, and Hazel wanted to do her part too. She cherished her mother and always wanted to help her. She decided to surprise her one day and have lunch ready when they came in from the fields and she made her first batch of homemade biscuits at 7 years old. That was the first of many, many pans of biscuits she would make with tomato gravy and fatback! Nothing made her happier than doing for others.
Hazel never met a stranger. You were always welcome in her home, and she loved to share a slice of cake, a meal or cup of coffee with you. She loved everybody and everybody loved her! She was an amazing storyteller and loved to laugh. She had an undeniable faith and was quick to tell anyone that all she ever accomplished in life was by the grace of God. She touched so many lives.
She was a devoted employee of Richmond Community College for 37 years. She loved her job and the people she worked with. For 20 years, she moonlighted at the family business, Curt and Hazel's Seafood in Laurinburg. Many days after a full day at the office, she would bake eight pound cakes for the restaurant. Decades later, people still talk about her delicious pound cakes.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and children. Her faith continued to shine when she lost the love of her life, Curt, her daughter and best friend, Diane, and her precious and loving son, Tommy. She was blessed with another marriage to Cuyler Hennecy in 2007 and shared many happy times together until his death in 2013. She never missed a chance to glorify God and looked forward to the great reunion with her loved ones.
She is survived by the grandchildren that she adored, Mary Taylor Jackson (Taylor), Curt Britt (Lindsey), Katherine Tuck (Bryan); great-grandson Tommy Britt, who brought her such joy; and loyal daughter-in-law Jacque O'Neal (Ed). She was looking so forward to the birth of Katherine and Bryan's son in September. Little Jack and Tommy will know their great-grandmother through the stories we will tell.
She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and so many friends who have become family. We have much love and admiration for her special niece Penny, Vicki and Carol for the countless days they have devoted to her. Also, "Taylor girl and Taylor boy" who moved to Myrtle Beach so they could be close by and help care for her in her golden years. What a blessing!
Funeral services will be held Monday, May 12 at 3 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Hamlet with the Rev. Bill Monroe and Pastor Larry Frye officiating and interment will follow at Richmond Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1-3 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church.
Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the family.
Memorials may be made in her memory to scholarship funds previously established for Diane (Diane Britt McKenzie Memorial Scholarship, RCC, PO Box 1189, Hamlet, NC 28345) and Tommy (Tommy Britt Memorial Scholarship, 17083 Fieldcrest Road, Laurinburg, NC 28352); or to Calvary Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com.
