Hazel Perry McPhaul, 99, died December 29, 2016 at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh. Born January 8,1917 in Cofield, she was the daughter of William Jackson Perry and Paul Harrell Perry. She was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Fletcher Cecil McPhaul of Red Springs, and three siblings, William Jackson Perry, Joseph L. Perry, and Sarah Perry Witcher. She is survived by her four children, Ellen McPhaul Satterwhite (Landis) of Winston-Salem, Fletcher Cecil McPhaul Jr. (Bonnie) of Kenansville, Shirley McPhaul Howell of Woodruff, South Carolina, and Jane McPhaul Huband (Kim) of Raleigh. Hazel is also survived by a sister, Naomi Perry Autry of Raleigh; nine grandchildren, Cindy Boling (Ron), Chris Shankle (Rebecca), Fletcher McPhaul,Landis Satterwhite (Nicole), Noell Wilson (Gary), Catherine Howell (Mike Ernst), Will Howell (Jennifer), Emily Gladden (Marcus), and Ben Shankle (Kayla); and 16 great-grandchildren.
She always enjoyed learning, even before she first attended school and skipped first grade. As long as she could remember, Hazel wanted to be an elementary school teacher. When she was only 16, she rode the train to attend Flora MacDonald College to accomplish that goal.
After her graduation from college, her dream of teaching was first realized at Antioch School. At Antioch she met and later married Cecil McPhaul on September 16, 1939. During the years following the births of their four children, she loved staying at home and taking care of her family. Later she returned to teach elementary grade children in Maxton for 25 years and also at Bowley School in Fort Bragg.
She was a member of Antioch Presbyterian Church, serving in many areas, including the choir, Women' s Circle, Antioch Women of the Church, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She received the Honorary Life Membership of the Presbyterian Women Presbyterian Church. Following her husband's death, she moved to Woodruff, where she was an active member of the choir, Sunday School, and circle at Emma Gray United Methodist Church. She also volunteered in senior citizens groups, library and garden clubs, and Meals on Wheels. She spent her final years in Raleigh.
A Celebration of Life was held Jan. 1 at Antioch Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Antioch Presbyterian Church, 6583 Red Springs Road, Red Springs, N.C. 28377 or Emma Gray United Methodist Church, 321 West Georgia Street, Woodruff, S.C. 28388.