Hazel Mae Trent was born to Vernon L. and Mae Smith in Coleman County on January 12, 1922. She lived a life full of love, faith and service to family and friends. Surrounded with the love of her family in her last act of faith, on November 30, 2009 she went home to her Lord and the many loved ones that preceded her.
Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; the father of her four children, J.M. Trent; her second husband, Art Brooks; three brothers, Roy, Orien and Vernon, Jr., and one sister, Viola Maples. She completed high school at Coleman then married J. M. Trent on March 2, 1939. They had four children Mary Ann and Bobby, born before the interruption of World War II, and Pat and Jean, afterwards.
The family pioneered the establishment of Denver City, Texas during the 1940’s and 50’s. Hazel hosted many in her home serving home made pie and attention, lovingly tended to the children, and supported J. M. in the establishment of the growing community’s White’s Auto Store, Farmer’s Insurance Agency, Trent Motor Company, and a real estate company. She was a member of First Baptist Church, the Rebekah Lodge #116 and the hospital auxiliary. She started the local Candy Stripers and was sought out at the dress shops and Collin’s Department Store, where she worked for years.
In 1972, after her divorce she moved to Big Spring and worked at the Holiday Inn and multiple retail stores. She was the first family member to move to Midland in 1975 and was delighted when her three daughters and families followed her there. She resumed her volunteering with the Pink Ladies and helped establish Midland’s first Battered Women’s and Children’s Shelter. She married Art Brooks in1982. They lived in Brady several years. After he passed away in March 1995 she moved back to Midland. She joined Alamo Heights Baptist Church and resumed her volunteer work. On January 1, 2001, she married Vernon Trent. They enjoyed almost nine years together, always the first to arrive for family reunions and funerals.
She is survived by her husband Vernon Trent of Midland, her sister Vertis Horton Sowell of Brownwood, her children and spouses Mary Ann Carter and Pat Culpepper of New Braunfels, Bobby and Charlene Trent of Denver City, Jean and Marshall Dolloff of Andrews, 10 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 11 great, great grandchildren, a large extended family and a host of friends.
Family visitation is Wednesday 6-8 p.m. at Davis-Morris Funeral home in Brownwood. Services are Thursday 2 p.m. at the same location. Burial will follow at Burkett Cemetery. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to Permian Basin Center for Battered Women and their Children (432) 570-5260 or your local hospital auxiliary.
