Hazel

Lea

Hazel Mae (Watson) Gordon Lea of Shell Knob, Missouri passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on January 10, 2025 in Fayetteville, AR.

Hazel was born September 4, 1930 in Noel, Missouri to Clumbies "Charlie" and Florence (Perner) Watson. She was raised in Noel and was of the Baptist faith. She often recalled stories from her childhood with great fondness. She graduated from Noel High School in 1948 and married Robert Gordon. Four children were born to this union. She was employed as a secretary at Pineville Schools, Hudson Foods and Ralston Purina. In 1973 she married Earl Lea and moved to their home on Table Rock Lake in Shell Knob where they resided for 48 years until his passing in 2021. She was a member of the VFW Post 2203 Ladies Auxiliary Club in Shell Knob.

Hazel was an avid reader taking a special interest in US history, presidential history and poetry. She enjoyed traveling with her sisters and took many trips that included researching their genealogy and touring historical sites.  Hazel's greatest joy was her family, and she treasured every moment spent with them. She was always delighted to visit with friends and neighbors as well. Her caring nature made anyone she met feel special. Most of all, she was a loving mother, sister and grandmother.

Hazel is preceded in death by her parents, husband Earl Lea, sons Michael and Darrell Gordon and all seven of her siblings, Bernard Watson, Alice Burrow, LaDora Hill, Mary Lee Wilson, Betty Meador, Billy Watson and Donna Watson.

Her memory will be treasured by daughters Linda Schlessman (Geral) of Pineville, MO and Barbara Faulks of Fayetteville, AR, and daughter-in-law Brenda Gordon of Anderson, MO.

Surviving grandchildren are Tammy Roark (Jerry) of Anderson, MO Jennifer Bishop (Carl) of Pineville, MO, Melissa Cloutier (Chris) of Fayetteville, AR, Holly Techau (David) of Anderson, MO, Rebekah Barrows (Dave) of Peoria, AZ, Zachary Schlessman (Colby) of Pineville, MO Rachel Gordon of Colorado Springs, CO and Tara Garrison of Fayetteville, AR.

Surviving great grandchildren are Courtney Gilker, Ashton Chwalinski, Chad Roark, Jaxon Schlessman, Blaine Bishop, Ty Schlessman, Braxton Bishop, Alexis Bishop, Cayton Schlessman and Sawyer Garrison.

Also surviving are seven great-great grandchildren Lana Bridenstine, Gavin Gilker, Colt Roark, Carson James Roark, Wyatt Gilker, Ruth Gilker & Kolter Chwalinski.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 17, 2025 in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Home. Pastor Bob Holloway will officiate.  Burial will follow in the Shelt Noel Cemetery in Pineville, Missouri, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved sons. Those honoring her life by serving as pallbearers are Zach Schlessman, Jaxon Schlessman, Blaine Bishop, Braxton Bishop, Chris Cloutier and Jerry Roark. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Bouchard, Harvey Boyer and Geral Schlessman.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to service time at the funeral home.