Hazel Deane Wood Kees, 89, passed away July 14, 2019 at Wyngate Assisted Living in Proctorville, Ohio. She was born on March 16, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of the late Elmer Earnest Wood and Onnie Ayers Wood. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” William Kees who passed in 2008. She and Bob graduated from Maryville College in TN in 1952 and were married three hours after graduation. They lived in Tennesee, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Alabama, and Texas during their travels and transferring with Sears. She was a homemaker for many years and taught Physical Education in West Islip, NY for ten years. Upon retiring from Sears in 1982, she and Bob moved to Pinehurst, NC to run a Montgomery Wards Catalog Store and Kees TV and Appliance. She and Bob spent ten years traveling the United States and visiting every state twice. They settled in Linville, NC and became involved in Land Harbor activities, square dancing, and their church. Hazel oversaw the Care Closet at Land Harbor, but her favorite activity was volunteering at RAM (Reaching Avery Ministry) for ten years. Due to dementia, she moved to WV to be with her daughter, Linda, and then to Wyngate Assisted Living in Proctorville, Ohio where she enjoyed many activities including playing the piano. Our family appreciates the love and care she received from the staff at Wyngate during her 4 1/2 years there. She is survived by her brother, Ray (Eva) Wood of Maryville, TN; her five children; daughters Linda (Steve) Osborne of Huntington, WV; Deb (Mark) Worden of Holt, Michigan; Deanea (John) Vivola of Morgantown, PA; Sandy (Greg) Eaton of Myrtle Beach, SC; and son, Robert Wood Kees of High Point, NC; seven grandchildren, Stephanie (Brian) Mowdy, Chris (Kayla Adkins) Osborne, Michael (Olivia Sallavanti) Vivola, Megan (Nick Miller) Vivola, Andy (Ting Yip) Worden, Laura (Tyler) Bach, and Courtney (Benny) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Wyatt Lyon, Kennedy Lyon, Nora Mowdy, and Henry Johnson. She was a member of Madison Avenue Christian Church. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday July 27th, 2019 at Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville, Ohio with Pastor Jamie Gump officiating. Visitation will be one hour before at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ehallfuneralhome.com.
