Hazel Lee Whitehead

Brigadier Hazel Lee Whitehead was born in North Carolina on December 16, 1924. She was the eldest of ten children born to George & Elsie Swinson. Hazel dedicated her life to Jesus Christ at an early age, and in 1944 was commissioned as an officer of The Salvation Army as part of the Liberty Session. While serving in Washington, D.C. she met and married Lt. Howard M. Whitehead on October 14, 1948. She was a faithful officer, serving in Washington, D.C., Virginia, North & South Carolina, Oklahoma, Georgia and Mexico.

After her beloved husband Howard died in 1976, Hazel was transferred to the Southern Territorial Headquarters of The Salvation Army, where she served in various administrative positions until she retired in December, 1989, after 45 years of faithful service.

Upon retiring, Hazel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Composition, and Rhetoric, graduating cum laude from Georgia State University at the age of 69. She valued education and encouraged and supported the education of all her children and grandchildren. Combined, they have earned two Ph.D.s, seven Masters, and 10 Bachelor degrees.

Hazel died on November 8, 2015 at the age of 90. She will be remembered as a loving wife, nurturing mother, and encouraging grandmother. But most of all she will be remembered for her unwavering faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, her love of God's Word, and her heart for others.

Hazel is preceded in death by her loving husband, Brigadier Howard M. Whitehead. She is survived by her children: Nancy Whitehead Reyes, Howard and Margaret Whitehead, and Doug and Donna Whitehead; seven grandchildren: Josue R. Reyes, Rebecca Whitehead-Scwartz, Margaret R. Whitehead, Nenetzin Reyes, Timothy Whitehead, Nancy Reyes-Frazier, and Steven Whitehead; and three great-grandchildren: Joel, Amaria, and Joshua Reyes.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033