of Odessa, TX

February 28, 1922 - June 5, 2018

Hazel L. Burbridge, 96, died on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 in Odessa, TX. She was born on February 28, 1922 in Mound City, MN to the late Floyd and Lillian Godfrey Clark. Due to the early death of her mother and the difficulties of the Great Depression years, Hazel and sister Eva went to live with relatives in Pender, Ne. Hazel was a graduate of the Pender High School class of 1942. She continued her education at Wayne State Teacher's College and began her teaching career at a rural Thurston school.

In 1949 she married Vern E. Burbridge. They made their home in South Bend, Indiana. Hazel continued her teaching career and college coursework at Bethel College and Notre Dame. She loved teaching young children. She thought each class was her best and looked forward to meeting a new class each fall.

When Vern retired in 1970 they started a new adventure at Big B Ranch in Fox, Arkansas. Hazel and Vern extended a fun loving welcome to family and friends, and many happy memories were made during visits to the Big B Ranch.

Hazel had the heart of a teacher and continued her career at Rural Special School in Mountain View, AR. In 1972 she and her class hosted a wild game Turkey Dinner for her students and their families. The popular dinner evolved into an annual community-wide event.

When Hazel retired from teaching she and Vern enjoyed the Big B together until Vern's death in 1992. In 1997 Hazel left the Big B and moved into Mountain View enjoying family, wonderful friends and attending White Water Baptist Church. Due to health problems, Hazel moved to Odessa, TX in 2003 to be near her sister, Eva and husband Elmer Macklin. She enjoyed various craft activities, time with family, and attending The Potter's House Church with the Macklins and their daughter Mary Means' family. Her heart was still in Arkansas though, and she returned to Mountain View briefly. However, her health continued to be a concern and in 2005 she returned to Odessa where she resided until her death.

Left to cherish her memory are sister Ruth Hammel of Middleton, Idaho; brother Kenny Clark of Boise, Idaho; daughter-in-law Caroline Burbridge of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas; eight loving grandchildren; twelve nieces and nephews who will miss her greatly, as well as three more generations of ''greats,'' ''great-greats, '' and even ''great-great-greats'' who will learn of their wonderful Grandma Hazel or Aunt Hazel through the memories their parents share .

Hazel is preceded in death by: husband Vern Burbidge; sons John and Jack Burbridge; parents Floyd and Lillian Clark; brothers Virgil, Darrell, and Merle Clark; and sisters Eva Macklin and Beth Clark; and nephew Terry Clark.

Visitation for Hazel will be Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 12:00 1:00 PM at Roller Coffman Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Funeral services will follow the visitation beginning at 1:00 PM with Brother Phil Sutton officiating. Interment will follow the funeral services at Pordue Cemetery in Onia, Arkansas.

Pallbearers are Marty Berry, Dean Gammill, Ronnie Callahan, Mark Pfrenger, Tim Lock, and Phillip Carr.

The family asks that anyone wanting to make a donation in memory of Hazel to please consider, Star Hospice, 620 N. Grant, Suite#100, Odessa, Texas 79761. The family was very grateful for the care Hazel was given through Star Hospice.

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