SHERMAN – Hazel Bledsoe Wright, 80, of Sherman died Saturday, July 30, 2011 at The Homestead of Sherman. Services have been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011 at Dannel Funeral Home, officiated by Mark Mitchell, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Denison; dear friend Janice Thompson of Sherman; and Bill Mayes, minister of the Woods Street Church of Sherman. Internment will follow at Friendship Cemetery.
Mrs. Wright was born June 22, 1931 in Luling, Texas to Delton (D.O.) and Jo Bledsoe. She graduated from Sherman High School – class of 1949. She spent her entire adult life in Sherman and was a lifetime member of the Sherman High School Ex-Students Association. Hazel married Harold Wright on March 3, 1962, in Durant, Oklahoma and they were married for over 49 years. She retired from the General Telephone Company on June 30, 1989 after 37 years of service. Hazel is well known state-wide for her unselfish and altruistic civic activities. She loved her family and friends and spent her life helping others.
She was a member of the Woods Street Church of Christ, AARP, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Foster Grandparents, Texas Silver-Haired Legislature, Communication Workers of America, Local 6171, American Business Women of America, the League of Women Voters, Volunteer Services Council of MHMR, Area Council on Aging, WHO (We Help Ourselves) program and the Adopt-a-School Program.
Hazel served as an active AARP volunteer and shared additional volunteer time with the Texoma Regional Advisory Council addressing senior issues in Grayson County while remaining a strong advocate for abused women and children. Hazel taught children anti-victimization skills through the WHO program and volunteered for the Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma, the county-wide 4-H Club, and the Telephone Pioneers Rosa Hill Community Center. She was awarded the 1998 Texoma Senior Hall of Fame Award for exceptional service that included Meals on Wheels and Medicare issues.
Hazel was the Texas District 4 Representative to the National Silver-Haired Congress and was appointed by Speaker Virginia Zachert to the Medicare Committee. Because of her tremendous impact on the lives of so many, she was honored at a reception hosted by the National Committee for Preserving Social Security and Medicare (NCPSS&M) at their office in Washington, D.C.
The Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services of Texoma presented Hazel with the Star of Texas Award. Hazel had been a volunteer for several years, giving leadership and working extensively with fund raising. Hazel had a heart of love that extended into the community by volunteering and donating many hours a week toward the needs of others.
Hazel is survived by her loving husband, Harold Wright; devoted children and spouses Jimmy Vandagriff and wife, JoAnn of Sherman, Texas; Donny Joe Vandagriff and wife, Donna of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Diana Barker and husband, Donnie of Southmayd, Texas; Scotty Wright and fiancee’ Kenda Johnston of Denison, Texas; one sister, Judy Bledsoe Wortham and husband, Don of Sherman, Texas; one brother, Bob Bledsoe and wife, Janet of Georgetown, Texas; four grandchildren, Jason Vandagriff of Pflugerville, Texas, Jamie