Hazel Crouch marched into the presence of her Lord on February 21, 2012 with her head held high and her arms wide open to receive His commendation: “Well done thou good and faithful servant….” and the warm embrace of her husband, Philip, who preceded her in death.
Hazel was born in Rosebud, Arkansas in 1917. She began what would be a lifelong ministry in her teenage years and continued it throughout her education at Central Bible Institute and on the mission field in Egypt. She served with her husband, Philip, in ministries in Cairo, Alexandria and for several years at the Lillian Trasher Orphange in Assiut until 1955 when they came to America for a missionary furlough. In 1957, when travel back to Egypt became impossible, she came with Philip to Central Bible Institute (now CBC). She served along with him as an instructor in several and varied courses, as well as at his side as the President’s wife when he assumed that position. In those roles she touched the lives of countless students who now serve in ministries of their own, having benefited in so many ways from her work and dedication on their behalf. During these years in Springfield, Hazel earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with highest honors, from Evangel College in 1961 and a Masters in Education Degree from Drury College in 1969. Upon Philip’s retirement from the college, she served with him in administrative capacities with Trinity Broadcast Network until their ultimate retirement in 2002. They returned to Springfield where she lived until her passing. If the mark of a person is found in the legacy they leave behind, Hazel has indeed achieved a remarkable legacy through her children, grandchildren, great – grandchildren and the countless students whose lives are what they are because of who she was and what she allowed God to accomplish through her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, C.F. and Nancy Conway.
She leaves to glory in her home-going her son, Wedge and his wife, Jan, of Springfield, her son Mark and his wife, Jennifer, of Indianapolis, IN; Wedge and Jan’s daughter, Michelle Davis and her sons, Colton and Gabriel Davis of Kansas City, MO and their daughter, Jennifer of Chicago, IL, Mark’s children, Jesika Smith and her husband, Ryan and Jamison and his fiancée, Kayla O’Brien, all of Indianapolis, IN.; one sister, Mildred Taylor , of Houston, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North with visitation being held on February 24, from 5-8 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held to the glory of God at Central Assembly of God at 10:00 a.m., on February 25. Interment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Philip Crouch Memorial Scholarship at Central Bible College.