Hazel McKoin
September 15, 1942 — September 30, 2017
Hazel McKoin
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Hazel Irene McKinney McKoin passed away peacefully on September 30th at the age of 75.
Hazel was born on September 15th in Rudd, Arkansas to Joe and Elsie (Wilson) McKinney. She spent her early childhood surrounded by her many aunts and uncles in Berryville, Arkansas. She loved to recall the stories of receiving her education in a one room schoolhouse. The family eventually moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. Hazel graduated from Central High School and went on to receive her undergraduate degree from what is now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She went on to secure her Masters in Social Work from Tulane University in Louisiana. She was at Tulane when Hurricane Betsy struck in 1965 and assisted with relief efforts. Her social work career spanned over 30 years with various agencies, a large portion being with the Family Service Agency. Hazel's passion though was always to assist the mentally ill and for a time volunteered with NAMI Arkansas.
Hazel married John McKoin in 1971. They lovingly referred to each other as John "squirrel" and Hazel "rabbit". Soon after marriage Hazel's love of teddy bears became evident with photo records of them each with the stuffed animals in the driveway. Hazel welcomed a daughter, Rachel, in 1980. Hazel named Rachel after one of her favorite soap opera characters of the time, Rachel Cory, on Another World.
Hazel had many loves and unique characteristics. An avid Football Fan, Hazel continued to favor the Chicago Bears although she regularly spoke of their downward spiral since the 80s but praised any win. Sundays were a beeline straight to the television. Although a small family, there would usually be upwards of 20 Christmas stockings (one for each "important" stuffed animal) every year as stuffed animals were just as much family as the living ones. Weekends would normally be spent with Rachel, stopping by Blockbuster when they opened at 10 a.m. picking out 4 videos and then picking up snacks at Drug Emporium. Film Saturday would then commence. Hazel enjoyed that Rachel's friends regularly hung out at her house in high school as she could visit with Leah, Rachel, Ashley, Jennifer, James, Laura and the many others that crossed the threshold over the years. In 1997, Hazel and Rachel took a road trip to Virginia Beach, VA for a week where Hazel attended one of her only concerts, Weezer and No Doubt. While Hazel enjoyed the time with Rachel, she was not so much a fan of Weezer. Her first moniker of "Granny Hay" came in 1999 when Rachel's sorority sis-daughter, Laura Essex named her such. Hazel loved it and it stuck.
Hazel spent many years active in the church and other organizations. She spent several years helping in the Trinity United Methodist Sunday nursery. To know Hazel was to know everything in her or her family's life. She always said that McKinney's were talkers and she was no different. But as much as she spoke, she also cared about the goings on of all her friends and family. She loved stories of what was occurring as well as discussing news, politics, entertainment and of course, football.
In 2002, the small family grew a little bit with Rachel's marriage to Trae Ellis. In 2007 she officially became a grandmother to her "Granny Hay" moniker upon the birth of her first granddaughter, Evelyn Marie Ellis (Evie). In 2012, her second granddaughter Elise (Ellie) Ellis was born. Hazel enjoyed the fact that she was living with Rachel at the time and got to see first-hand most of the first year of Elise's life. Until the end, Hazel made a point to check on people, calling regularly. She even inquired with Rachel how each of her co-workers were doing weather she knew them or not. Her level of keeping in touch with others on many levels was unmatched.
Hazel is survived by her daughter Rachel Ellis, son-in-law Trae and granddaughters Evie and Elise. Additional survivors include Richard Collins of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Pauline McKinney of Bryant, AR. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, parents, Joe and Elsie, step-mother Evelyn (Wilson) McKinney and many beloved aunts and uncles.
A celebration of life will be Friday, October 6 at 2 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), officiated by The Reverend Candace Barron. Visitation will be prior to service starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Per Hazel's request, please bring your favorite childhood teddy bear or stuffed animal to keep you company during the service.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to NAMI Arkansas. The family would like to thank Nancy Hamlin, Clara, Barbara Berry, Second Presbyterian Church, Amanda DiPippa, Jennifer Miller, Mallory Cupples, Kathy Feehan, Kathy Knapp-Mansfield, The Ellis Family, Rachel's work family at the Office of Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and numerous others for their care and support.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Hazel's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
8801 Knoedl Ct
Little Rock, AR, 72205
8801 Knoedl Ct
Little Rock, AR, 72205
Hazel was born on September 15th in Rudd, Arkansas to Joe and Elsie (Wilson) McKinney. She spent her early childhood surrounded by her many aunts and uncles in Berryville, Arkansas. She loved to recall the stories of receiving her education in a one room schoolhouse. The family eventually moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. Hazel graduated from Central High School and went on to receive her undergraduate degree from what is now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She went on to secure her Masters in Social Work from Tulane University in Louisiana. She was at Tulane when Hurricane Betsy struck in 1965 and assisted with relief efforts. Her social work career spanned over 30 years with various agencies, a large portion being with the Family Service Agency. Hazel's passion though was always to assist the mentally ill and for a time volunteered with NAMI Arkansas.
Hazel married John McKoin in 1971. They lovingly referred to each other as John "squirrel" and Hazel "rabbit". Soon after marriage Hazel's love of teddy bears became evident with photo records of them each with the stuffed animals in the driveway. Hazel welcomed a daughter, Rachel, in 1980. Hazel named Rachel after one of her favorite soap opera characters of the time, Rachel Cory, on Another World.
Hazel had many loves and unique characteristics. An avid Football Fan, Hazel continued to favor the Chicago Bears although she regularly spoke of their downward spiral since the 80s but praised any win. Sundays were a beeline straight to the television. Although a small family, there would usually be upwards of 20 Christmas stockings (one for each "important" stuffed animal) every year as stuffed animals were just as much family as the living ones. Weekends would normally be spent with Rachel, stopping by Blockbuster when they opened at 10 a.m. picking out 4 videos and then picking up snacks at Drug Emporium. Film Saturday would then commence. Hazel enjoyed that Rachel's friends regularly hung out at her house in high school as she could visit with Leah, Rachel, Ashley, Jennifer, James, Laura and the many others that crossed the threshold over the years. In 1997, Hazel and Rachel took a road trip to Virginia Beach, VA for a week where Hazel attended one of her only concerts, Weezer and No Doubt. While Hazel enjoyed the time with Rachel, she was not so much a fan of Weezer. Her first moniker of "Granny Hay" came in 1999 when Rachel's sorority sis-daughter, Laura Essex named her such. Hazel loved it and it stuck.
Hazel spent many years active in the church and other organizations. She spent several years helping in the Trinity United Methodist Sunday nursery. To know Hazel was to know everything in her or her family's life. She always said that McKinney's were talkers and she was no different. But as much as she spoke, she also cared about the goings on of all her friends and family. She loved stories of what was occurring as well as discussing news, politics, entertainment and of course, football.
In 2002, the small family grew a little bit with Rachel's marriage to Trae Ellis. In 2007 she officially became a grandmother to her "Granny Hay" moniker upon the birth of her first granddaughter, Evelyn Marie Ellis (Evie). In 2012, her second granddaughter Elise (Ellie) Ellis was born. Hazel enjoyed the fact that she was living with Rachel at the time and got to see first-hand most of the first year of Elise's life. Until the end, Hazel made a point to check on people, calling regularly. She even inquired with Rachel how each of her co-workers were doing weather she knew them or not. Her level of keeping in touch with others on many levels was unmatched.
Hazel is survived by her daughter Rachel Ellis, son-in-law Trae and granddaughters Evie and Elise. Additional survivors include Richard Collins of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Pauline McKinney of Bryant, AR. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, parents, Joe and Elsie, step-mother Evelyn (Wilson) McKinney and many beloved aunts and uncles.
A celebration of life will be Friday, October 6 at 2 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), officiated by The Reverend Candace Barron. Visitation will be prior to service starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Per Hazel's request, please bring your favorite childhood teddy bear or stuffed animal to keep you company during the service.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to NAMI Arkansas. The family would like to thank Nancy Hamlin, Clara, Barbara Berry, Second Presbyterian Church, Amanda DiPippa, Jennifer Miller, Mallory Cupples, Kathy Feehan, Kathy Knapp-Mansfield, The Ellis Family, Rachel's work family at the Office of Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and numerous others for their care and support.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. Hazel's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
Visitation
OCT 6. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CDT)
Little Rock Funeral Home8801 Knoedl Ct
Little Rock, AR, 72205
Funeral Service
OCT 6. 2:00 PM (CDT)
Little Rock Funeral Home8801 Knoedl Ct
Little Rock, AR, 72205
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