Hazel Yvonne Saunders

Hazel Yvonne Saunders was born on October 4, 1924, to John Barney Lockhart and Cora Runyan Lockhart in the small community of Middle Creek south of Dustin, Oklahoma. She passed away on March 10, 2026, in Eufaula, Oklahoma, surrounded by her son Steve and daughter-in-law Connie.

In 1951, Hazel married Herman Saunders at the Nazarene Church in Henryetta. The couple welcomed their son Stephen, and Hazel later retired from the American Exchange Bank after 33 years so she could care for her beloved grandson Jordan, who was the light of her life. A woman of deep faith, she was a longtime member of the First Assembly of God Church in Henryetta, where she served as a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, and in various other roles. She later became active in the Methodist Church, touching many lives through her witness and forming lasting friendships.

Hazel had a beautiful voice and loved singing in a trio with Johnnie Jobe and Winona Wilmoth, sharing their faith through radio broadcasts and church services. She is now reunited with her trio and with her husband Herman, who often told the story of how she was the only person who ever sold him a pair of shoes that didn’t fit.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Herman, her sisters Ruth Lockhart Arnold and husband Carl, and her brothers Herb Lockhart and wife Leatrill, Elmer Lockhart and wife Eunice, Palmer Lockhart and wife Polly Anna, and Sidney Lockhart. Hazel is survived by her son Steve Saunders and wife Connie, grandson Jordan Saunders and wife Kasey, and great-grandsons Cannon and Callan, of whom she was so proud.