Ranger Exes Memorial - RHS Class of 1945

Hazel Dempsey HAZEL DEMPSEY SHARPE, 86, of Athens, TX, passed away Dec. 12, 2015, with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. Hazel was born Dec. 28, 1928 in Ranger, TX, the oldest child of Ernest Lee & Maggie Viola Dempsey. She attended Ranger High School in the Class of 1945. Hazel was a very strong woman and worked very hard to achieve her goals. She started school at age four and graduated high school at sixteen. This determination carried on throughout her life. While living in Ranger, she began working for Hollywood Vasserette in 1953 and was soon made supervisor. She was transferred to Athens in 1964 as assistant plant manager. In 1970, Hazel was promoted to plant manager, the only female plant manager within the company. She retired in 1991 after 38 1/2 years with Hollywood Vasserette. But as hard working as Hazel was, she also had a light hearted side. As a young girl on her family's farm, she loved to ride horses with her friends. Hazel loved fast horses and fast cars! She also enjoyed games. She was a good bowler and an ace 42 player. Hazel spent many a pleasant hour at the boats in Louisiana & an occasional trip to Las Vegas. But it was her family that gave her the most happiness in life. Hazel was a devoted mother and a loving and kind grandmother and great-grandmother. She is predeceased by her beloved youngest daughter, Pam Morgan in 1977 and her loving companion of 43 years, Frank Sharpe in 2014. Hazel is survived by her two sisters, Joyce Dempsey Browning (RHS-1954) and Audie Faye Dempsey Falk (RHS- 1958) & husband Ray (RHS-1955); her children, Linda Morgan, Brenda Westbrook & husband Ben, Elaine Algood & husband Bobby, Karen Sharpe and Lisa Sharpe; her grandsons and spouses, Bobby & Janice McRee and Ben Eric & Alisha Westbrook; great-grandchildren, Chelsey Luttrell, Ross Mcree, and Jaxson, Houston and Archer Westbrook. Hazel cherished each and everyone of her family. She was very much loved and will be greatly and forever missed by her family and her friends.