Hazel Lanier Henderson

October 11, 1932 - December 25, 2022

Hazel Lanier Henderson passed from her earthly life to her heavenly home on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at her home.

Born on October 11, 1932, in Duplin County, she is the daughter of the late John William Lanier and Edna Rosa Raynor. Also preceding her in death are her husband of 69 years-- Andrew Jackson Henderson, her son -- David Henderson, her grandson-- Ty Henderson, her siblings-- William Earl "Dick" Lanier, Roy Allen Lanier, Edna Mavis Lanier, Elbert Delano Lanier.

Left to cherish her memory are her children-- Randall and wife Nancy of Burgaw, NC, Rhonda Tyler of Morehead City, NC, Christopher and Susan Henderson of Wallace, NC, Danette and Allen Heath of Pink Hill, NC, her daughter-in-law Melony Henderson of Wallace, NC, her sister-- Darlene Lanier, her sister-in-law-- Marie Lanier as well as 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Hazel grew up in Duplin County. Her and "Jack" raised five children together in their home. She worked at the Wallace Sewing Company for over 20 years. She was known as the Matriarch of the Henderson family. She was the caretaker, the cook, the crafter and the seamstress. She was "mama" and she was "grandma". She was the backbone that held the family together.

Many times, you could find her in the kitchen cooking some of her family's favorites. Hazel also loved to spend time in her garden or perfecting her flower beds. She could do anything with her hands; she loved to craft, paint, and sew. She made wooden models of her old homeplace as well as numerous decorations and dolls. She loved to put her imagination to work. Throughout the years she carried on a tradition to make the children and grandchildren hand-made quilts to cherish forever. When she wasn't working on a project, you could always find her in a lawn chair enjoying the fresh air and reading a book.

Hazel was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. While she was not the "talker" of the family, she prayed for each and every one of her children and grandchildren. She cherished and adored her family. In some of her last moments, she clung to the family photo. That same family photo states at the bottom "Like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions, but our roots remain as one." May Hazel be remembered as a root of the Henderson family, where it all began, and her memory live on through the lives of loved ones. We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Amos Lanier Cemetary in Chinquapin, NC.  The family will receive friends and family at the home following services.

Pastors:    Durwood Maready
Bill Howell

Sammy Shepard

Honorary Pall Bearers:     Jerome Henderson

Drew Henderson

William Henderson
Jonathan Henderson

Trey Bowden

Alvis Raynor

Kellon Raynor

Craig Raynor