Hazel Dare Brown

Hazel Dare Johnson Brown was born to Will and Luella Johnson on August 3, 1926 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Johnson's had eighteen children, of which ten lived to adulthood. Thelma Johnson Gatlin is the last remaining sibling. Hazel married Albert Lee Brown, who preceded her in death. They had four children, Robert, Diana, Craige, and Jerry.

Hazel completed high school at Central Colored High School in Louisiana, and was proud to tell people that she never missed a day of high school. She came to California in 1945 and took several classes at Compton Community College and Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Hazel accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was a faithful member of Macedonia Church of Christ Holiness in Compton for over 60-years. She sang in the Church Choir. Always willing to serve, Hazel volunteered to give welcomes, readings, or serve as mistress of ceremonies for many of the Church programs.

In 1952, she began working at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. After almost 40 years, she retired in 1992. Her motto toward work was, "Nothing to it, but to do it." At her retirement celebration in 1992, she expressed how much Harbor General meant to her: her daughter Diana was born there; her oldest son Robert retired from Harbor; her son Craige works at Harbor; and her youngest son Jerry had worked at Harbor and is presently working at Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital. So it is fitting that she retired from life's travails and passed away at her beloved Harbor General. During her retirement, she went to Dollarhide Senior Citizens Center and sang with the Gospel Choir. Her favorite pastime was sitting at her table in her living room "reading and going through papers."

To capture the spirit of Hazel, one could say that she had a generous and giving heart. Hazel enjoyed giving and she gave and gave. "What do you need?" "Just call on Aunt Hazel!" "How's your money?" and "You can always ask Grandma." Hazel made each person feel special so that each child, grandchild, each niece and nephew felt that they were Hazel's favorite. She felt blessed that God had allowed her to become a senior citizen. She loved telling her age and would remark, "I'm Hazel Brown, the prettiest girl in town." She was indeed special.

Hazel Brown leaves to mourn her four children: Robert Lee Brown of Gardena, Diana Brown Jackson (Clarence) of Los Angeles, Craige O. Brown of Inglewood; and Jerry L. Brown of Los Angeles. Five grandchildren: Robert T. Brown, Melinda Watkins, Shannon Tagger, Andre' Walker, and Stephen Jackson; seven grandchildren, one sister, Thelma Gatlin of San Pedro, and a host of relatives and friends.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275