Obituary of Hazel Cosby
Hazel Bussell was born on May 19, 1929 in Harrogate, Tennessee. She was one of eleven children born to the union of Clarence and Donna (Daniels) Bussell. Hazel attended Forge Ridge High School in Harrogate. She was a member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe, Michigan.
On May 31, 1947 in Middlesboro, Kentucky Hazel married the love of her life, Mr. Archie Cosby. Together the couple would be blessed with five precious children. Hazel dedicated her life to being a homemaker, providing a warm and loving home for her five children and hardworking husband. She found happiness on the road and enjoyed traveling all over the United States with her daughters. A snowbird, Hazel also loved spending winters with her husband in Winterhaven, Florida. A nature lover, Hazel also liked to camp, fish and take long walks. She enjoyed canning vegetables which always included her favorite green beans, tomatoes and peppers.
A proud American, Hazel valued helping others and honoring veterans. At Christmastime she would encourage her daughters to send Christmas cards to servicemen and women. Hazel would buy dinner for veterans at restaurants and would even attend funerals for vets she didn’t even know just to show her gratitude and support. Spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren was Hazel’s most cherished pastime and she was very proud of all of them.
Hazel Cosby, age 93, passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family and under the care of the Elara Caring Hospice. Her passing was preceded by her parents: Clarence and Donna Bussell; her loving husband of sixty-nine years: Archie Cosby; her daughter: Peggy Sue Smith; two sisters: Gloria Harris and Zella Hamon; seven brothers: Louis, Sam, Elmer, Fuston, Clarence Jr., Clemons and Leamon Bussell; and two son in-laws: Dave Woodfin and Charles Lyons.
To cherish her memory Hazel leaves behind one son: Roger (Beth) Cosby of Monroe, Michigan; three daughters: Patricia Woodfin of Monroe, Sharon Lyons of Seacrest, Florida, and Karyn Cooley of Monroe; one sister: Gainell Abrams of Tazewell, Tennessee; seven grandchildren: Eddie (Ruth) Lyons of Seacrest, Florida, Chris Cosby of Temperance, Michigan, Bobbie Ann (Scott) McMullen of Monroe, Shawn Cooley of Monroe, Jamie Hazel (Mickey) McMullen of Lasalle, Michigan and Jonathan Cooley of Monroe; fourteen great grandchildren: Aleta, Jacob, and Noah Lyons, Blake, Gabriella, and Brendan Cosby, Ryan and Hailey Cooley, Amiya Smith, Paycee, Grace, and Tanner Assenmacher, and Mickey and Aiden McMullen. Hazel also leaves behind a host of wonderful nieces, nephews, and neighbors.
Friends may gather on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 2:00 to 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734)241-7070. A Celebration of Hazel’s life will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 11:00am also at Merkle’s with Pastor Matt Foley of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, Monroe officiating. A procession to Roselawn Memorial Park in Lasalle, Michigan will follow.