Hazel Inez Cox Free

Hazel Inez Cox Free, 98, of Lufkin, Texas went to be with Jesus on December 26, 2025, just two days before her 99th birthday.

Hazel was born at home on December 28, 1926, in Gouldbusk, Texas to the late Rev. Ota Dee Cox and Lula Myrtle Vanpelt Cox and died Friday, December 26, 2025, in a local nursing home where she had resided three years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. & Mrs. Ota Dee Cox, her husband, Rev. Normous George Free of Texas; son, Rev. Paul Rickey Free of Mississippi; grandson, Keith Campbell of Texas; as well as two sisters, Loveta Snitzler of Florida, Lessie Rawls, of Texas; and five brothers: Odis Cox, O.D. Cox, Jr., Curtis Cox, Baby Cox, and J.A. Cox all of Texas; as well as numerous in-laws all of whom she dearly loved.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Ben Watson of Huntington, Texas; her son, Normous George Free, Jr., “Buddy” of Diboll, Texas; daughter-in-law, Melissa Reinhardt Free of Southaven, Mississippi; one sister, Lanelle Early of Mississippi; and brother, Wilburn Cox of Texas; grandchildren, Nathan and Amanda Free of Oklahoma, Joshua and JoAnna Watson of Texas, Bailey Free of Texas, Thomas Free of Mississippi, Jacob Watson of Texas, and Daniel Burgess of Texas; great-grandchildren; Dylan, Audrey, and Chelsea Hazel Free of Oklahoma, Katie Grace Watson of Texas, and Camilla Lopez Watson of Texas; special friend, Dixie Keltner of Texas; as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Hazel learned to walk in a cotton patch in West Texas. She adored her many siblings. At the age of nine, Hazel was saved in a revival in Seagraves, Texas. She later answered the call to preach and to full-time Christian ministry. In 1946, Hazel was in the first group of students to attend The Congregational Methodist Bible School in Dallas, Texas where she met and later married Rev. Normous Free. Hazel went on to preach, sing, and minister in churches for the next 80 years. She was a gifted seamstress and owned and operated her own sewing factory for many years, which she named “Bud-Rick Dress Manufacturer & Connie’s Factory Outlet,” after her three children. She was a production manager in the sewing business for 45 years.

Hazel never stopped studying her Bible, and taught Sunday School for many years. She dearly loved teaching her adult Sunday School classes. She eventually joined Lufkin First Church of the Nazarene in Lufkin, Texas where she faithfully served and dedicated herself for many years.

Hazel was an avid writer and researcher, completing numerous books about her parents’ and siblings’ lives as well as her husband, children, and grandchildren. She completed extensive research about her family’s ancestry, and genealogy, dating back to the 1400’s. Hazel loved her rich family heritage and wanted to share it with her loved ones.

Hazel had a strong and vibrant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and spent her life sharing her testimony of God’s redemption and grace in her own life, always leading others to salvation and a life of joy and fullness found only in Jesus.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel, and the family will welcome friends and loved ones from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Graveside services will follow that afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in Bethany Cemetery in Marthaville, Louisiana.

Pallbearers will be Buddy Free, Nathan Free, Joshua Watson, Jacob Watson, Thomas Free, and David Landrum.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wilburn Cox, Ronnie Rawls, Ethan Landrum, and Matthew Landrum.

Memorial Contributions made be made to Lufkin First Church of the Nazarene, 1604 South Medford Drive, Lufkin, Texas, 75901.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.