Hazel Uleta Peoples, 99, of Mt. Home, left to meet Jesus from Hiram Shaddox Health and Rehab in Mt. Home, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.
The daughter of Dewey and Velma (Brasel) James was born December 14, 1921 in Johnson County, AR.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mitchell C. Peoples; 3 sons, Bruce, Ronnie, and Doyne Peoples; a great great grandchild, Liam Okkerse; 5 brothers and 1 sister.
Hazel enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and caring for her family.
She is survived by her son, Tony Peoples and his wife Elaine of Mt. Home, AR; her daughter-in-law, Joyce Peoples of Smithville, MO.; her brothers, Lex (Jess) James of Pawhuska, OK, and Gerald James and his wife Betty of Jasper, AR; her sisters, Jean Hudson of Saint Joseph, MO, Sue Nell Morris and her husband Billie of Lee Summit, MO., and Goldie Knotts of Clarksville, AR.; her grandchildren, Sherry White, Ron Peoples, Karl Peoples, Clinton Peoples, Tammy Ary, James Peoples, and Mike Peoples; 14 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; and her sisters-in-law, Connie James of Mt. Sherman, AR and Dot James of Palestine, TX.
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My Grandma was the sweetest lady I’ve ever known! Even people (who she wasn’t even a grandma to) say the same. If anyone could have lived forever, it was her. We were blessed to have her 99 years and 9 months, so we couldn’t really ask for more. She didn’t have an easy life, but she had a wonderful life, surrounded by many people who loved her tremendously. She was one tough lady, facing much adversity in her lifetime. She experienced more grief than most, having lost three of her own children, her husband, her parents, numerous siblings, and a great, great grandchild. Regarding losing her children, she told me that was something she never ever “got over,” but that she just “got through it.” She told me when you face unimaginable heartbreak, you just gotta dig deep and find that God-given strength that you don’t know you have…until life forces you to find it. I’ve remembered that and have had to implement that in my own life many times since. I loved visiting with her and hearing about the world from someone who had lived to be nearly 100 years old. One time she told me about her childhood, how they’d ride in covered wagons across the mountain to school, where her momma was the 1-room schoolhouse teacher. Then when there were too many kids (because she was 1/12 kids in their family!) to ride in the wagon, the boys had to walk beside the wagon, as the girls got to ride. She talked about all the inventions she’d seen in her lifetime. Running hot water, indoor toilets, and real toilet paper (not magazines!) were her favorites! 😁 This precious lady always put her family first and had a smile on her face when doing so. She loved her quilting and cooking, and so did her recipients! I don’t know which I loved more… her hugs or her cooking! She loved her family big time, and had a great sense of humor. Her mind was quick as a whip, even at 99 years old. She seldom complained about anything, and the few times I heard of, was for the pain she was in during the last period in her life. So that was our silver lining when she passed away, that she wasn’t in pain anymore. I appreciate all the memories, life lessons, quilts, and afghans she gave me. When I miss her, I just wrap myself in one of them and it makes me feel a little less sad. But most of all, I just loved how she loved me. She was the best Grandma! I strive to be half the grandma she was. I sure love my Grandma and will miss her until the day I’m reunited with her in Heaven! ❤️