Obituary of Hazel Anne Johnson

Col. Hazel A. Johnson of Morgantown and Hilton Head Island came into this world on Dec. 6, 1937 in Buffalo, W.V. Her parents were humble, hard working & they instilled in her a strong work ethic which she lived by her entire life. She graduated from Buffalo High School and chose nursing as her career. She obtained her nursing education from Kanawha Valley Hosp. in Charleston, W.V. Wanting to see this great country, she chose VA Hospitals and lived in Seattle, Los Angeles and Boston. To further her education, she came to WVU to do so. That was at the time the first University hospital was opening. She and long time friends, Antoinette Renn, Annette Mann and Janet Mawhinney were some of the first nurses employed there. Working and attending the University, she achieved her degree. Wanting more, she then obtained her Masters. During this time, the Vietnam War was in full force. It is then she started her long association with the military. Joining the Air Force Reserves as a Lieutenant flight nurse she aided the return of our injured military personnel to the U.S. By 1970, her studies were completed and she moved to Atlanta, GA. accepting employment with the I.N.A. She covered states in the south. It was in Atlanta that she bought her first property, a triplex, that started her into real estate. While working and traveling, she met people in Columbia,S.C. She liked the city. She applied and was accepted as an instructor of nursing at the University of S.C. Because Ft. Jackson was located there she transferred to the Army. Buying her first double there started her next career off. Realizing teaching was not her calling, she was buying and managing her rental properties. Her activities and advancement in the military was continued. It allowed her to travel and meet people. By the 80's she became involved with the Reserve Military Officers Association of N.A.T.O.,CIOR/CIOMA attending yearly conventions. Each country took turns hosting to show their operations. This allowed her to meet people, learn and travel. It was there that she was "Knighted" in the Order of St. Stanislaus. She ended her military career as the "Chief Nurse" for the S.C. National Guard with a total of 26 years of military service. With a busy life, she was still a nurse. When the house/senate was in session at the capital, she was a nurse on staff. Traveling the world was her "love". Be it cruising around Cape Horn, climbing the Great Wall of China, being "followed" in Russia, on safari in Africa or sipping hot wine viewing the city of Praugh. This love took her to see 80+ countries. One thing she never forgot was where she came from, West Virginia. Where she received her education, West Virginia Univ. This education helped her achieve her "dreams'. To give back, many years ago she established a scholarship for nursing to help others obtain their goals and dreams. Her family, sister Jeannette and husband Bob Bendula, nephew Rob Bendula wish to thank all who were involved with her during her illness and care at Ruby Hosp., Golden Living and her wonderful friends here and across the miles. Please join us on Sunday, Nov. 20th at Erickson Alumni Center, One Alumni Dr. Morgantown. Hours are from 1:30pm-3:45pm to "celebrate" her life. Please wear gold and blue. In lieu of flowers we are requesting donations be made to her "new" Col. Hazel A. Johnson scholarship. This was established for those with military connections to achieve their goals in the medical field. W.V.U. Foundation, WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Col. Hazel A. Johnson Scholarship. P.O. Box 9008, Morgantown, W.V. 26506. She chose her final resting place to be the West Virginia National Cemetery. Date & time to be announced. Online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com