Hazel Mary Brown

Hazel Mary (Smith) Brown, beloved mother, grandmother, daughter, and friend, passed away on June 21, 2026. She was born January 18, 1951, to Milton Noah Smith Jr. and Hazel Mae (Labigang) Smith.

Hazel's life was marked by faith, family, service, creativity, and a nurturing spirit. Becoming a mother was deeply meaningful to her, though it was not an easy journey. She experienced the heartbreak of losing three infant sons, making the children she was blessed to raise especially precious to her. Becoming a grandmother brought a special love into Hazel's life.

Faith was an important part of Hazel's life. She attended many different churches and denominations over the years, but was especially drawn to spirit-filled churches where prayer, healing, and freedom of worship were deeply valued.

Hazel had a lifelong heart for helping others. She volunteered at food pantries, soup kitchens, and other local ministries. In the mid-1980s, she and her husband, Wendell, started and operated a homeless mission and church. Serving others was something they both believed was important.

Hazel was known for her remarkable mechanical skills. She repaired motorcycles, cars, heavy machinery, three-wheelers, and just about anything around the home that needed fixing. If something was broken, Hazel would take it apart, figure it out, fix it, and put it back together.

She was also an excellent cook who took great pride in feeding people and seeing them enjoy something she had prepared. She was known for her signature recipes and enjoyed sharing them with her family. She was creative and talented with her hands, sewing, upholstering furniture, and making things for those she loved.

Hazel loved animals of all kinds, but she had a particular fondness for  her Great Pyrenees dogs and horses. She also enjoyed music, particularly Christian music, country music, and Elvis Presley. She loved orchids and roses, with roses holding a special meaning because they were Wendell's favorite flowers.

Her childhood nickname was Meme, a name that stayed with her throughout her life. When her granddaughter Hannah was born, it seemed only natural that she would be called Meme. Hazel called Hannah her Poppy, and Meme adored her Poppy. Hazel took great pride in Hannah and all that she accomplished. Her family and friends often remarked on the special bond they shared. To Hazel, Hannah was her heart.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell Larry Brown; her youngest infant son, Daniel Gabriel Brown; her two oldest infant sons; and her parents, Milton Noah Smith Jr. and Hazel Mae (Labigang) Smith.

She is survived by her daughter, Heather Raborn (Charles); her son, David Brown; and her beloved only granddaughter, Hannah Morton.

A Celebration of Life for Hazel Mary Brown will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday September 13, 2026, at Gulf Haven Mennonite Church, 21497 Mennonite Road, Gulfport, Mississippi 39503.

Hazel will be remembered for her strong faith, generous heart, mechanical abilities, love of cooking and creating, willingness to help others, and the love she gave to her family and those around her.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Brown family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come.