We respectfully announce the passing of Mrs. Hazel Phillips Ray on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Wellstar Tranquility at Cobb Hospital in Austell, Georgia.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary United Methodist Church located at 100 Pine Street, Hogansville, Georgia 30230. Rev. Elaine Gilbert, Pastor and Dr. Tariq Z. Cummings, Eulogist. Service will be live-streamed (see clickable link below)

Public viewing will be held on Monday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Due to COVID-19 concerns everyone in attendance at the Funeral Service and the viewing must wear a mask.

On the 27th of May, 1943, God saw fit to illuminate and began the life of his daughter Hazel Yvonne Phillips Ray. She was the eldest of seven; born to the union of the late Rose Marie Beasley Phillips and Wilson Phillips, Sr., born in Lone Oak community of Meriwether County GA. She was educated in the Troup County schools and graduated as Valedictorian in 1960 from West End High School of Hogansville, GA. She participated in the high school chorus and was on the girls’ basketball team. Hazel found Christ at an early age and grew up in St Mary United Methodist Church as an active member in the Methodist Youth Fellowship Program and was a church musician at St Mary and other local churches.

After graduating high school, Hazel matriculated at Savannah State College, Savannah GA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She was an active member of the SSC Chorus. Upon graduating from Savannah State, she was an Educator at East Depot High School in Lagrange GA.

In the Summer of 1969, Hazel moved to Michigan and began teaching in the Pontiac, MI school system. She also completed her Master of Arts Degree from Michigan State University. She became a member of St Stephens Missionary Baptist Church, Pontiac, Mi; where she was very active in Sunday School, the Gospel Choir and the Quilting Club. She was also active with a local bowling league. Hazel loved gardening, cooking, family and her friends. Her greatest joys were being mother to her son Dontee’ and being an active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Pontiac Alumnae Chapter.

On July 30, 2022, as Hazel slept peacefully, her spirit was released back into the arms of her Heavenly Father. While she will be eternally missed on this side of heaven, we rest assured and are encouraged that she is safe in the Masters’ arms. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers: Wilson, Jr and Ezzard Phillips. She leaves to cherish her memories, son and daughter-in-law, Dontee’ and Traci Ray (Mableton, GA); three sisters: Carol Handy (College Park, GA), Janis Phillips (Fayetteville, GA) and Debbie (Phillip) Cummings (Columbus, GA); one brother: Dennis (Shirlette) Phillips (Sharpsburg, GA); two sister-in-laws: Ora Phillips (Ann Arbor, MI) and Gloria Terrell Phillips (Hogansville, GA); four step children: Stephanie Ray Weatherspoon (Detroit, MI), Kenneth Ray (San Antonio, TX), Velma McKann (Jonesboro, GA), and Kenneth Parker (LaGrange, GA); very special friends: Henry Ray (LaGrange, GA); Carol Ann Wade and the Wade Family (Pontiac, MI). Hazel cherished a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Thrash and Sons Funeral Home.