Hazel Coffman

July 16, 1926 - May 13, 2018

Hazel Gertrudis Facey Coffman was born in Antilla, Cuba on July 16, 1926 to Charles and Jenetha Facey. She was the fourth child of seven siblings; Carlos, Esther, Laura, Roberto, Olga and Clara. Hazel loved her two brothers and four sisters very much often talking to her sisters several times a day. She was very close to her family and always had a listening hear and caring spirt that often came with advice, scripture and prayer. During her formative years, Hazel was educated in Cuba and also took classes to become a seamstress. She made most of her clothes for church. It's funny, even though she was an excellent seamstress she refused to make clothes for anyone because she did not want to accept the responsibility if the outfit did not turn out correct. In 1956 Hazel was introduced to the love of her life through her brother-in-law, Arthur Johnson, who played match maker. She met a young minister named Grant Coffman from Dallas, Texas who resided in Washington, D.C. The two fell in love and were later married on September 23, 1957. That union lasted for 57 glorious years and produced three sons, Grant Jr., Samuel, and Carlos. Hazel enjoyed being an educator for the Prince George's County Board of Education where she taught 2nd -4th grade students. In 1975 a photograph of Hazel appeared in The World Book Encyclopedia Year Book of her teaching a small group of students. Hazel retired from the Prince George’s County Board of Education in 1986. Even in her retirement she worked tirelessly as a bilingual substitute teacher for the Austin Independent School District until 2011. Hazel was a dedicated and loyal wife. She also was the First Lady of Carmody Hills Baptist in Seat Pleasant, Maryland where Grant Sr. was the Pastor. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, headed the Woman's Missionary Unit and performed the faithful duties as the First Lady of the church. She enjoyed singing and loved to teach her Sunday school and Vacation Bible School students to sing “Jesus Loves Me” in Spanish. Upon moving to Austin, Texas in 1986 she enjoyed her later years caring for her family. She was a faithful member of Wesley United Methodist Church where she was active in the Communion Stewards Ministry, the Fifty Plus Ministry. Hazel loved the performing arts and would attend many plays that came to town as well as jazz concerts. Grammy award winning gospel and jazz saxophonist, Kirk Whalum referred to her as his second mother. They had a special bond that would last nearly 30 years. Many times Kirk would come to visit her or serenade her at one of his concerts when he performed in Austin. She also enjoyed seeing performances of her next-door neighbor and actress, story teller, artist, Karla Nickerson who also shared her love of the Spanish language. They spoke Spanish as often as they could. Hazel made so many friends and never really met a stranger. Anyone she met loved her from the start of their friendship. She loved her family and dedicated her life loving and caring for them. Hazel had an especially close bond with her mother, sisters and brothers. Her nieces and nephews held her to the highest honor of respect. She was angelic in her qualities and they always knew she had a direct line to God with prayer. For you see, her prayers were always answered because she had a fierce belief in God. Everyone knew if she prayed for you God would show up to answer her call. Hazel had a large extended family of friends that used to call her, mom, sister or friend. She never missed a birthday or special occasion and was faithful in keeping in touch even if it was just a simple phone call or sticky note to say, “I love you!” During her later years in Austin she was active traveling to Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Atlanta to visit with her sisters Clara, Esther, Laura and Olga as well as her brother Roberto and son Carlos. Hazel loved to travel when her health would allow her to take a trip. Hazel left a legacy filled with hope, love and a purpose filled life that included her love for Christ and the mission to serve Him through loving and helping others. She knew the only way to pass on that legacy was through the word of Christ. And, one way she did that was through her ministry of mailing or handing out the “Upper Room” and “Our Daily Bread” devotionals to her friends and family; always attaching a little note, even if it was just “Read with your Bible. Hugs, Mom or Hazel”. She was selfless and always had a kind word to say about the love of God. From August 2010 until December 2014 Hazel would visit Grant, Sr. almost every day at Cornerstone Hospital Group while he was convalescing. She was a loyal and faithful wife. On December 22, 2017 she suffered a stroke and faced the challenge to get better. On Mother’s Day, May 13, 2018 she slipped away to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her husband Grant Sr., mother and father Jenetha and Charles Facey, sisters Laura Johnson (brother in-law Arthur Johnson) of Chicago, Illinois, Esther Perez of Oxon Hill, Maryland, brother and sister in-law Carlos and Pilar Facey of Chicago, Illinois and her sister in-law Rudolph Tate of Dallas, Texas. Hazel is survived by her three sons Grant, Jr. and Samuel of Austin, Texas, and Carlos of Mitchellville, Maryland, and “adopted” son Alex of Austin, Texas. She also leaves to cherish her memories two sisters, Clara Jenkins of Oxon Hill, Maryland, Olga Courtney of Stone Mountain, Georgia and brother Roberto Facey (Lashawn) of Riverdale, Maryland; and a sister in-law Bobbie Hill of Dallas, Texas. She also has a host of nieces and nephews in Dallas, Texas, Bolder Colorado, Atlanta, Georgia, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area, and Hawaii. She also had an extended family of close friends throughout the United States. Julian, Grant, Ryan, Courtney, Zoe, Jamal, and Essence are the grand kids she longed to have had and enjoyed.