Obituary for Hazel Marie Heath (Nedab)
Hazel Marie Nedab Heath was born on May 30, 1923 in Daugherty, Virginia to the late Helen Elder Wise Nedab and William Roy Nedab. Her mother, Helen, later married Simpson Harmon, who introduced Hazel to the barber and beauty profession. On Thursday, March 16, 2023, just 75 days before her 100th Birthday, Hazel slipped peacefully away to rest from her labor and receive her reward.
“Aunt Hazel,” as she was affectionately called, was an original, what we call today, jet setter. Though she was not boarding planes, she hit the road for professional opportunities and personal growth. Hazel was educated in the segregated schools of Accomack County, Virginia. She then enrolled in cosmetology school and became a licensed beautician, giving her the ability to make a living wherever she lived. Hazel spent years in Delaware, DC, and Philadelphia, often with a niece or nephew in tow, as she helped her siblings raise their children. Hazel was preceded in death by her siblings, Sarah, Emma, and Charlie Nedab; nephews, Fletcher Edgar Drummond and William Bailey; nieces, Edith Bailey, Delores Bailey, and Tawanda Ryals; and husbands, John Boone and Nehemiah Heath.
As an entrepreneur, astute manager of money, and the owner of Hazel’s Beauty Salon, Hazel enjoyed a life with the full professional and social benefits of running a beauty salon. In her spare time, she continued to fulfill her auntie duties, babysitting many nieces and nephews, some who lived in fear of the fly swatter and others who knew they were always getting a toy or treat from the Five and Dime Store. After decades of babysitting, washing, pressing, and curling hair, Hazel retired to care for her bed-ridden mother, until her mother’s death in 1990. During her retirement, Hazel would not miss watching her favorite shows: The Young and The Restless, The Oprah, and Montel Williams Shows. She never missed reading the local newspaper or taking care of her indoor garden of houseplants. She enjoyed hours of sitting on the porch-watching travelers on Route 13 and chatting with her neighbor and sister friend, Ada “Sweetie” Bell.
An early fashionista, Hazel styled with her suits, dresses, matching hats, and purses, often ready for Sunday services at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Onancock. Hazel was a lifelong member of the church serving as an usher, member of the Willing Workers Club, and the Missionary Society.
As Aunt Hazel progressed in age and lived with her niece, Laretta, she fell in love with her Stevie, and watched everything Steve Harvey. Additionally, completing word search books became one of her favorite pastimes.
Left to cherish her memory are three nieces, Mary Laretta Harmon (Orville) of Mappsville, VA, Daphne McClary (Reginald) of Souderton, PA, and Coretta “April” Griffiths of Camden, NJ; one nephew, LeCounte Nedab, Sr. of Ocean Pines, MD; and a host of great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and friends.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family
“Aunt Hazel,” as she was affectionately called, was an original, what we call today, jet setter. Though she was not boarding planes, she hit the road for professional opportunities and personal growth. Hazel was educated in the segregated schools of Accomack County, Virginia. She then enrolled in cosmetology school and became a licensed beautician, giving her the ability to make a living wherever she lived. Hazel spent years in Delaware, DC, and Philadelphia, often with a niece or nephew in tow, as she helped her siblings raise their children. Hazel was preceded in death by her siblings, Sarah, Emma, and Charlie Nedab; nephews, Fletcher Edgar Drummond and William Bailey; nieces, Edith Bailey, Delores Bailey, and Tawanda Ryals; and husbands, John Boone and Nehemiah Heath.
As an entrepreneur, astute manager of money, and the owner of Hazel’s Beauty Salon, Hazel enjoyed a life with the full professional and social benefits of running a beauty salon. In her spare time, she continued to fulfill her auntie duties, babysitting many nieces and nephews, some who lived in fear of the fly swatter and others who knew they were always getting a toy or treat from the Five and Dime Store. After decades of babysitting, washing, pressing, and curling hair, Hazel retired to care for her bed-ridden mother, until her mother’s death in 1990. During her retirement, Hazel would not miss watching her favorite shows: The Young and The Restless, The Oprah, and Montel Williams Shows. She never missed reading the local newspaper or taking care of her indoor garden of houseplants. She enjoyed hours of sitting on the porch-watching travelers on Route 13 and chatting with her neighbor and sister friend, Ada “Sweetie” Bell.
An early fashionista, Hazel styled with her suits, dresses, matching hats, and purses, often ready for Sunday services at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Onancock. Hazel was a lifelong member of the church serving as an usher, member of the Willing Workers Club, and the Missionary Society.
As Aunt Hazel progressed in age and lived with her niece, Laretta, she fell in love with her Stevie, and watched everything Steve Harvey. Additionally, completing word search books became one of her favorite pastimes.
Left to cherish her memory are three nieces, Mary Laretta Harmon (Orville) of Mappsville, VA, Daphne McClary (Reginald) of Souderton, PA, and Coretta “April” Griffiths of Camden, NJ; one nephew, LeCounte Nedab, Sr. of Ocean Pines, MD; and a host of great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and friends.
Lovingly submitted,
The Family