Hazel J. Alexander

Hazel J. Alexander, departed for heaven on December 14. 2021, at age 93, while peacefully at home with family. She was born in 1928, as the first of four children to parents Rudolf and Lela (Watley) Martin at the family's Martin Springs "home place" near Norfork. Both her parents were school teachers in Baxter County. Known as "Jeannie" through childhood, she attended the one-room schoolhouse at Martin Springs before graduating from Norfork High School as president of her senior class. Following graduation she attended Draughon Business School in Springfield, Missouri. Then in 1947 she married Harold B. Alexander, a veteran of WWII. Together they had three children, Carolyn, Donna, and Harold Dean. Around 1953 they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where they operated a service station on Truman Road. In 1958 they divorced and she returned to Norfork with her children. She worked in Baxter County Clerk Ed Pinkston's office several years, then worked at North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, before beginning her career in real estate. She was one of the first women in the area to enter the real estate profession, among first in the state to graduate from the Realtor's Institute, and established her own agency Colonial Real Estate in Mountain Home. She did well in real estate while raising her children and touched many lives for the better. She was elected President of the North Arkansas Board of Realtors twice and honored as North Arkansas Realtor of the Year in 1986. After almost 30 years in real estate, she retired and sold her business. She loved Baxter County and chose to remain in Mtn. Home the rest of her life among many friends and relatives. God blessed us all with her lovely humor, strong work ethic, generosity, and many kindnesses. She was a truly beautiful person inside and out. She endured several hardships throughout her life, yet she was always determined to make the best of every challenge. A true inspiration, she was a guiding light to us all. She dearly loved her children, and felt they were her purpose in life. She enjoyed gardening, travel, and simple pleasures like reading and crossword puzzles. Neighbors called her "the flower lady" known for sharing her plants. She loved camaraderie with relatives and friends, cherished time with her beloved grandchildren, and was well known for her genuine sense of humor and generosity. She is survived by her three children, Carolyn Leuenhagen, Little Rock, Ark., Donna Smith, Fayetteville, Ark., and Harold D. Alexander, Mtn. Home, Ark.; her sister, Ruby (Gerald) Jackson, Conway, Ark.; six grandchildren, Stephanie Eubanks and Stephen (Lisa) Smith, Little Rock, Ark., Jerry (Stacy) Smith, Auburn, Wash., Allison (Dustin) Thompson, Springdale, Ark., Whitney (Randy) Knight, Hindsville, Ark., Doug (Cathy) Alexander, Bradenton, Fla.; seven great-grandchildren, Katherine Eubanks, Ashley (Adam) Jones, Riley Smith, Avery Smith, Haley (Joseph) Abbott, Katlyn Thompson, Tanner Thompson; plus many beloved relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Betty Wood, brother, R. L. Martin, grandson, Michael Alexander, and great-granddaughters, Tyler Thompson and Laurel Smith. A graveside service will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at Martin Cemetery near Norfork on the White River, preceded by visitation at 1 p.m. Per CDC guidelines, guests are encouraged to wear face covering. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks. Hazel's family is grateful for their service along with the help of many wonderful neighbors and caregivers from Home Instead. God bless them all. Arrangements are under the care of Roller Funeral Home. Please sign our online guestbook at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com