Zola Hazel Castor

Hazel Castor, 94, went to be with her Lord, on Dec. 3, 2008, at Life Care Center in Andover, Kansas, where she had lived since Sept. 25, 2003. She was born, Sept. 30, 1914, to Ben and Fannie McDowell, at Hawkeye, Mo. The family moved to this area in 1928. Her parents were both very ill and Hazel quit school, and went to work doing laundry and housecleaning to help support and care for her siblings. In 1935 she and Ashford Raymond Castor were united in marriage in Paola, Ks. To them 3 children were born, Sandra, Karen and Bill. During World War II, and for several years after, she worked at the Sunflower Ordinance plant in DeSoto, in the ammunition division. Later she worked at Sutherland"s Grocery in the meat department until she retired. She and Raymond enjoyed traveling and spent their winters in Texas and Arizona. They also enjoyed trips to Alaska and Hawaii. Hazel loved her flowers, garden, quilting, cooking and fishing, but most of all she loved sharing time with her four grandchildren, Malea, Christa, Carl, and Connor. She was a great-grandmother to Layne, Zachary, Hannah, Clara, Jarod, Cortney, C.J. and Bailey, all of which are old enough that they will always remember her with fond memories of their time spent with her. She was a devoted Christian and belonged to The First Baptist Church in Paola. Hazel was a member of the Currier Circle at the church. She and Raymond were members of the Twin Rivers Camping Club, attended The Old Time Fiddlers and Pickers and danced with several of the country dance gatherings. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband, four brothers, Otis, Claude, Thurman, and Leroy, three sisters; Minnie Cowan, Florence Hicks, and Leona Ellis, son-in-law, Mitchell Bickham, granddaughter, Malea Husted Lutz, grandson-in-law, Douglas Kellogg. Survivors include; daughters, Sandra and husband, John Husted of Spring Hill, Karen Bickham of Benton, Kansas, and son Bill and wife Therese of South Lake, Tx., 3 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Helen McDowell, of Moxie, Wa. Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church at 10:30 AM Monday, Dec. 8, with the funeral following at 11:00 AM. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church or The Hospice Care of Kansas of Eldorada, Ks. who so lovingly cared for her and the family throughout her long illness. Hazel will be sadly missed by her family and friends. 1st Baptist Church 207 East Wea St. Paola Kansas 66071 Service: Monday, December 08, 2008 11:00 AM Visitation: Monday, December 08, 2008 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM