Hazel Nixon Brown

HAZEL NIXON BROWN Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt Hazel Fay Nixon Brown died on October 31, 2013 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Hazel was born in Columbus County, North Carolina, on June 30, 1940 to Roy and Lela Nixon, and moved around the state with her family during her early years. She graduated from Pilot Mountain High School in Surry County, and then attended Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Hazel later earned master's degrees from Wake Forest University and from UNC Greensboro, as well as an Ed.D. from UNC Greensboro. She began her career as a Registered Nurse at Lula Conrad Hoots Memorial Hospital in Yadkinville, and then served as a fourth grade school teacher at Yadkinville Elementary School. Afterward, Hazel taught at the Forsyth Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and served as Director of the School until its closure in 1974. She then accepted a position as a faculty member at the UNC Greensboro School of Nursing. Hazel served on the UNCG faculty for 37 years, during which she received numerous awards for teaching excellence, for research excellence, and for outstanding university service. She greatly valued her students and her colleagues from the School of Nursing. Hazel retired in 2011 as the Eloise R. Lewis Excellence Professor of Nursing. She was privileged to be awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2011 in recognition of her many years of exemplary service to the State of North Carolina. Hazel married the love of her life, Leonard Lee Brown, on May 3, 1964. She and Leonard were planning a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for May of 2014. They enjoyed visiting with numerous family members and friends, riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway, rocking on the deck in Blowing Rock, playing bridge, walking around Bass Lake, participating in church functions, and traveling throughout the entire United States. Hazel and Leonard delighted in attending their grandchildren's piano recitals, sporting events, dance recitals, orchestra concerts, band concerts, and school plays. In addition to Leonard, Hazel is survived by her beloved children: Charles Brown, Mona Brown Ketner, Nadja Ramsay (Mark), and David Brown (Martha). She greatly treasured her grandchildren: Adam Ketner, Amanda Ketner, Caoilin Ramsay, Emily Brown, Mary Brown, Laura Ramsay, and Anna Brown. All of her grandchildren greatly adored their Grandma Brown. Hazel cherished her siblings: Helen Beck (Don), Russell Nixon (Johnsie), Ray Nixon (Caroline), and Holly Wright (Harry). She greatly treasured Conrad and Martha Brown, along with Marie James. In addition, she is survived by many dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. Hazel enjoyed serving on the Yadkin County Board of Education, as Deacon at First Baptist Church of Yadkinville, knitting, walking, and quilting. She also liked traveling to international nursing conferences, writing, and helping others in countless ways, large and small. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Instead, memorials may be made to Yadkinville First Baptist Church, c/o Ken Boaz at 304 South State Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Donations may also be made to the UNC Greensboro Hazel Nixon Brown Nursing Scholarship Fund, c/o Mary K. McGinley at PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Yadkinville First Baptist Church, followed by a celebration reception with family members in the church fellowship hall.