Eunice Claire Hazenfield Noland

Eunice Claire Hazenfield Noland passed away at her home, May 24, 2016 in Fayetteville, Ark. Eunice led a life of uncompromised kindness built on strength and conviction. Those who love her and follow her example make our community a more caring place. Eunice, born April 13, 1925, was the oldest daughter of Delmar Clair and Irene Welman Hazenfield. Eunice and siblings, Jacquilyn ("Jackie"), Lucille ("Bootsie"), and Phillip, lived in Decatur, Ill. Eunice graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1943. She attended Blackburn College where she received an Associate Degree and the Blackburnian Queen honor in 1945. Eunice met Paul Robert Noland at a Blackburn College Alumni function at the University of Illinois. When deciding who to speak with at the event, she and a friend determined Eunice would talk to "the tall one." A seven-decade partnership ensued. Paul took Eunice to Laura, Ill. to meet his family. The family expressed concern that Eunice, a child of the city, might not be accustomed to rural 1940s farm life. However, after Paul's sisters guided her through snow to the outhouse in the evening and placed a fire-warmed stone at the foot of her bed, Eunice thrived as she did in every situation. Paul and Eunice married Dec. 27, 1947 at the home of her parents in Decatur, Ill. Paul and Eunice graduated from the University of Illinois before Paul enrolled in a doctoral program in Ithaca, N.Y. They moved to Fayetteville, Ark. in 1951. Paul and Eunice participated in a University of Arkansas agricultural mission in Panama from 1955 to 1957, after which they returned to Fayetteville where they raised their children, Steve, Stewart, Bobby, and Brian. Eunice enrolled in a Master of Psychology program in 1964. She joked that the results of practice tests performed on her children rarely pleased her. Eunice graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1969, setting a trend followed by a dozen family members. Eunice worked in schools and the community as a psychological examiner, including the Ozark Guidance Center in Springdale, the Bost School in Fort Smith, and with the Fayetteville and Prairie Grove School Systems. Paul and Eunice joined Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville in 1952. She served her community avidly as a volunteer with the Ozark Society, the Friends of Lake Wedington during their renovation and restoration of historic structures, scouting organizations, the Richardson Center, the Committee to designate Scenic Highway 71, the local Interfaith Harmony Day, the Friends of Bolivia, and the Fayetteville Race Relations Committee during successful efforts to integrate movie theatres in Fayetteville. She was proud of her long-time membership in the Fayetteville Women's Modern Literature Club. She opened her home to all comers: college-student grandchildren searching for a Sunday meal, football game attendees, Paul's former students, and foreign exchange students from around the world. A wooden placard hang in her kitchen: "mi casa es su casa." Eunice is survived by her brother, Phillip Hazenfield and his wife, Carol; brother-in-law, Robert Siddens; her sons: Steve, Stewart, Bob, and Brian Noland; daughters-in-law: Barbara, Debbie, Marilyn, and Ann Noland; grandchildren: Heath and Ashley Noland, Matt and Hillary Sutherland, Ross and Ali Noland, Joe and Claire Beggans, John Paul and Brianna Noland, and Emily, Taylor, and Mallory Noland; and 11 great-grandchildren. The Memorial Service is Saturday, June 4, 10 a.m., Central United Methodist Church, 6 W. Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR 72701. Reception to follow. The family thanks the caregivers who assisted Eunice the past six months and requests, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Dr. Paul R. Noland Endowed Scholarship Fund, 1002 W. Maple St., Fayetteville, AR 72701 or to Washington Regional Hospice, P.O. Box 356, Fayetteville, AR 72702. To sign the online guest book, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.