Charles Hazell

Charles Emanuel Hazell was born in Harlem, NY to Ruby Eason and Charles Hazell, Sr. and grew up during the Civil Rights Era where moments and movements transformed a people to rise up no matter what circumstances were before them. He was an artist, activist, educator and community service icon, and all throughout his life with every moment possible he set out to empower people.

After he graduated from High School, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War. He was a very proud decorated soldier and was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Expert Marksmanship, and Vietnam Service Medal just to name a few. After his return from the service he returned home and moved to Brooklyn, the place where he began to plant the roots of his family tree.

Charles attended the New York City College and City University of New York, College of Staten Island and obtained an Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees and became an educator for the New York City Board of Education. Because of his passion to encourage and empower people he continued to work in the community he lived in. He served as the Director of the Louis H. Pink Houses Community Center, where he founded the renowned East New York Theatrical Workshop. He established an afterschool program, summer day camp, senior program, food pantry, and voter registration and participation initiatives. He served in this role for more than a decade. He then moved to be with his family in Columbus, Ohio in 1992, to begin the next chapter in his book of life.

During his life in Ohio, he used his God given talents and abilities to continue his work to encourage, inspire, and empower a community. He was an educator for the Columbus Public Schools, Ohio Wesleyan University, and worked closely with the Upward Bound program. He founded the East Columbus Theatrical Workshop and dance ministries at both Wesley United Methodist Church and Greater Jordon Temple. He volunteered his time at the local Vietnam Veterans of America and many other local charities within the Central Ohio community. Charles was an active Associate Life member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

The Man, The Myth, The Legend is the brand he created for himself and that is what he wants us to remember him as. Know that Charles Hazell departed this world surrounded by his children whom he loved dearly and his beloved family until he took his last breath. He shared his life of love, faith, and hope with everyone. You did not have to be a blood relative to be a part of the Hazell tribe, village or family. Family was everything to him. He always supported and loved us, and we all supported and loved him back.

He was a brave man. He battled cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, PTSD, all effects from Agent Orange for more than a decade and never complained. You would have never known he was sick at all because he never stopped living or moving forward. He was a charismatic, fun loving man who could make anything possible. He had the ability to take a vision or a dream and write it on a piece of paper or draw it on canvas to make it come to life. He loved to share his wisdom and life experiences with us all. We have all witnessed many of his miracles. We all have great memories, stories and encounters to share.

Today is not a sad day and yes, we mourn, weep and grieve the loss of Charles Hazell, a friend, father, brother, uncle, and dad to many. Charles Hazell the man with nine lives has finally gone home to rest in heaven to be with the Lord, his parents, son Malcom Hill, family and friends that have gone on before him.

He leaves to cherish his legacy, his children Jermaine Hazell, Latisha Hazell, Domonique Hazell-Stallworth (Clifford), Charles E. Hazell – CJ, Rubyann Hazell, Delia Hudson; his siblings, Alfred Hazel, Julius T. Edinboro, Edwina Flippo, Joseph Flippo, and Barbara Soden; Fifteen grandchildren, Eighteen great grandchildren; Ana Hazell and The Baez Family, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friend Debra Smith. We are all rejoicing and celebrating the life and legacy he shared with each of us. He brought joy into everyone’s life. God’s new angel in heaven is a true soldier and he will be truly missed.

Visitation 6:00pm and Funeral 7:00pm Saturday, June 29, 2019 at MARLAN GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.