Obituary of Hazel Elizabeth Beckner

Hazel Elizabeth (Hubbard) Beckner, 98, passed into eternity on April 8, 2017, at her home in Roanoke County, Virginia. Hazel was born July 10, 1918, the third child of George and Ida (Ulrey) Hubbard. She had fond memories of her growing up years, working alongside her siblings and parents. Realizing her need of the Savior, Jesus Christ, she was baptized May 11, 1933, placing her hand in His to lead her through this life, trusting Him to hold her hand through the valley of the shadow of death. She walked with the Old German Baptist Brethren until 2009, when she joined the Old German Baptist Brethren-New Conference, where she remained faithful until death. Hazel was united in marriage November 7, 1943, to Paul William Beckner, of Forsythe County, North Carolina, son of Clyde and Maggie (Ronk) Beckner. Their first 18 years of married life were spent farming in North Carolina, in retrospect, her “Golden Years”. In 1961, they moved to Roanoke, Virginia, where they built a house on her home place and made more precious memories. They were blessed with one son, three grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. Paul and Hazel shared a Christian marriage until his passing on April 30, 2013 severed their union. She thought of him often as she faced circumstances she wanted to share with him. Happiest when her hands were busy, Hazel never wished to burden anyone else. She was an appreciative patient when she was unable to care for herself. Her examples of concern for and service to others point us to Christ. She enjoyed traveling and visiting, in her prime when entertaining others with her stories and spunky personality. As her body aged, she waited expectantly for her room to be ready in that land of rest. Saturday morning, April 8th, she answered the Master’s call to return to Him. She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, husband, siblings: John Henry Hubbard, wife Rachel; Ruth Hubbard; Lester Hubbard; and Alma Wenger, husband Fred, siblings-in-law: Frances Jamison; Lewis Beckner, wife Rachel; Mary Wolf Bayer, husbands Eldon Wolf and David Bayer. Left to mourn her passing, yet rejoicing in her gain, is her son, Donald, wife Bonnie (Boone) Beckner; grandson Donnie, wife Donna (Layman), and children Jonny and Brooke Jenkins, Clint and April Landes, and Dillon Beckner; grandson Jeff, wife Beth (Layman), and children Trixie, Rhys, Tracie, Sydney, and Cade Beckner; granddaughter Melinda, husband Stephen, and children Karlee, Tate and Calli Austin; brother-in-law Vernon Jamison, sister-in-law Mildred Hubbard, and many other family members, friends, and church family. We give special thanks to the staff of Carilion Hospice, who helped us keep Grandma at home during her final days. Any memorials may be made to Carilion Hospice, 1615 Franklin Road, Roanoke, VA 24016-5208. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, with viewing one hour prior to funeral at Simpson Funeral Home, 5616 Peters Creek Road. Burial will follow in Old Peters Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at Simpson Funeral Home, 540-366-0707.