Hazel Delgado

Hazel Frances Martin Delgado,99, went to be with her heavenly father on Thursday October 10, 2019. She was a resident at Wesley Ridge Senior Community where she has lived for 12 years. She was born May 23, 1920 in Princeton, Kentucky to Maggie Frances Martin and John T. Martin. She was their second of three children. In her young age she loved the church and was very active in the church. Currently a member of First Baptist Church in Bluefield, WV where she remained active even after she moved to Ohio. She graduated from Butler high school in Princeton and attended Union University in Jackson, TN. where she graduated with a degree in education. Upon graduating from Union University she attended Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky where she graduated with a masters in religious education. There she met Primitivo Delgado, who would become her husband. They married in Oct. 1944 and she taught school in Indiana while Primo finished his doctorate degree. Following his graduation from Southern Seminary they moved to Marion VA where he pastored the First Baptist Church. She was a dedicated pastor’s wife leading and helping with the many activities of the church. She had a son and daughter and her life took on a new dimension. She continued to be active in the church and cared for her children. While they were serving in Marion, VA the church built a new parsonage. When her son was 6 and her daughter was 2 her husband accepted a job in Christian education at Bluefield College. They moved from Marion to Bluefield. She was sad to leave the church, her friends, and new parsonage in Marion. She wasn’t sure how she could move to the mountains of Virginia as they were so steep. The house in to which she moved was much smaller than the new parsonage in which they lived in Marion. She said many times that some of her best memories though were in the first small house in Bluefield. She worked in the library at Bluefield College in the evenings to supplement her husband’s income. She was hostess to many gatherings at Bluefield College as well as gatherings of students in their home. In 1970 she returned to teaching full-time first at Tazewell Elementary in Tazewell, VA and then at Graham Elementary in Bluefield, VA. She loved teaching and was always trying to better students lives as she could. She retired from teaching in 1985. She loved to cook. Frequently she hosted friends in what affectionately became known as “Hazel’s Kitchen.” When there was a friend who had a need she was eager to cook for them. Over the years the family made multiple trips to Caswell Beach, NC which she enjoyed. Sour dough bread needed for the week always seemed to appear when she arrived. It was thoroughly enjoyed like cake. She enjoyed her grandchildren greatly and loved their coming to visit. After she moved to Reynoldsburg she was very active in the senior community. Her goal on moving there was” I just want to be of service to someone”. She blessed many peoples lives with her friendship, conservation, and smile. Everyone’s name was important to her and she remembered them all to the surprise of the residents there. God blessed her with many good years. She was preceded in death by her parents. Her beloved husband of 62 years Primitivo Delgado and son Lofton Primo, her brother J.T. Martin, her sister Cora Christine McConnell. She is survived by her daughter Andrea Gruver (Robert) of Pickerington, OH :grandchildren, Kevin Gruver(Rachel),Diana Fannin (Sam), Kristen Kiggins (Zach), Jacob Delgado (Laura), Joshua Delgado, Sarah Qualls (Josh), Corey Phipps(Travis), and Kyle Clum: greatgrandchildren, Alana Fannin, Amelia Fannin and Zachery Fannin, Bhodi Kiggins, Isabella Delgado, Olivia Delgado, Savannah Delgado, and Ava Delgado, Elizabeth Qualls, Nicholas Qualls, and Abigail Qualls and a wonderful caregiver Betty Gardner. A graveside service will be held at Roselawn mausoleum chapel on Monday October 14, 2019 at 2pm. A memorial service will be held at Wesley Ridge Senior Community Saturday October 26, 2019 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Wesley Ridge Fund for Charitable Care, 2229 Taylor Park Drive, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 or online at https://www.wesleyridge.com/giving/donate-now.

Hazel Delgado

May 23, 1920 - October 10, 2019