Hazel Bigbee was welcomed into Heaven on Monday, December 3, 2018 at just after 11:00 A.M. She was 96 years old. She had lived in the Cottonwood community north of Cross Plains, TX for over 28 years before moving to Brownwood 6 years ago. Services for Hazel are 11:00 AM Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Heartland Funeral Home Chapel, there will be a visitation at Heartland Funeral Home on Friday, December 7, 2018 from 6 – 8PM.
Hazel was born on August 1, 1922 in Brown County and passed away peacefully at Cross Country Healthcare Center in Brownwood, TX. She was born Hazel Evona Myrick, to Charlie and Correta (Granad) Myrick, who preceded her in death. She was married to Jesse Edward Bigbee on April 25, 1942 at First Baptist Church in May, TX. They shared a little over 63 years together before Jesse passed away in November of 2005.
Hazel attended schools in Rowden, Owens, Blanket, and May. She was a homemaker and raised 4 children. As a busy pastor’s wife, she also helped with ministry in every church her husband pastored…teaching Sunday School to little children, leading WMU and GA’s, Vacation Bible School, really any ministry involving children. Hazel sang alto in the church choir and loved to sing hymns. You could always hear her humming or singing an old hymn as she worked at home. She was a hospital volunteer for many years when living in Conroe, TX. She enjoyed it very much and received tremendous personal satisfaction from delivering mail to patients, where she could visit for a minute, and maybe say a prayer or two. She was not afraid of a challenge of learning something new, like running a cash register in the hospital gift shop. One of her favorite jobs, and the only one for which she received a paycheck, was being a hostess at the Independence Baptist Church museum, which was a church her husband pastored. They both gave tours almost daily through this historical church near Washington-on-the-Brazos. She enjoyed meeting new people and loved that she could share some interesting facts about the church…such as, Sam Houston being baptized into the membership of that church, and other famous Texans who had been part of the fight for Texas independence. She loved people and she loved their stories and loved to find some connection to them. She loved unconditionally. She didn’t drive, so in the years following Jesse’s death, she always enjoyed visits from neighbors, friends, and family. She loved her family most of all. She loved nothing better than to be with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids and all the noise and laughter of those times together.
While she never served in the military, she was a WW2 bride. Her husband was shipped out with the Army within a few months of their wedding and served 3 years overseas during WW2. She remained state side and helped take care of his aging parents.
She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Cross Plains, TX and always loved her pastors, and other church staff. Having been in ministry all her married life, she knew how important it was to be supportive and encouraging and she took many opportunities to let them know how much she loved them.
Her favorite hobby was quilting. She was part of the quilting club in Cross Plains and loved getting together weekly to visit with other ladies while working on their latest creation. She made each of her children a quilt which will be treasured for life. She and Jesse always had a huge garden. From their bountiful harvest, she would can, freeze, and preserve enough food for them and to give away. She was a good cook but was “famous” for her bread pudding, and the recipe has been shared around the world. There were other family favorite recipes of hers that are being passed down that have been taken on by the next generation.
Hazel was the big sister to 3 younger siblings. Her sister, Billie Jean Hughes and husband Albert, and brother, Truett Myrick preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother Danny and his wife Glendora of Abilene, TX and sister-in-law Lorea Myrick of Brenham, TX
Hazel and Jesse had 4 children, Dalton (Butch) Bigbee and wife Jo Ann of Tahlequah, OK., Randy Bigbee and wife Cheri of Brenham, TX, Melanie Bigbee Clonts and husband Ken of Austin, TX and Pam Bigbee Polaski and husband Steve of Chandler, OK.
She had 14 grandchildren whom she loved fiercely: Amy Bigbee Miller and husband Michael, of Colleyville, TX, Nathan Bigbee and wife, Jennifer of Austin, TX, Aaron Bigbee and wife Ahu of Dallas, TX, Catherine Bigbee Gordon and husband Robert of Wasilla, Alaska, Jay Bigbee and partner, Erika, of Richmond, TX, Evan Bigbee of Brenham, Michael Clonts and wife Amanda, of Colorado Springs, CO, Chris Clonts and wife Anna, of Colorado Springs, CO, Angela Clonts of Bryan, TX, Courtney Polaski Elmore of Brownwood, Landry Polaski of Brownwood, Jay Polaski and partner Danielle of Ft. Worth, Cameron Polaski of Dongtan, South Korea, and Logan Polaski and wife Haley of Brownwood.
She is survived by all 4 of her children and their spouses, 12 of her grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren! She was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Evan Bigbee and Courtney Polaski Elmore. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who love her.
While flowers are welcomed (because she loved flowers), she also loved Howard Payne University, attended by her husband, all 4 children, 2 grandchildren, and other extended family members. If you so choose, you may send a memorial gift to Howard Payne University Scholarship Fund, 1000 Fisk, Brownwood, TX 76801.
