Hazel Nunally
Hazel Ashford Nunally was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 29, 1931, as the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Jessie Ashford. Her life was dedicated to faith, family, and service as an educator. She professed her love for Christ at an early age and was baptized at Metropolitan CME Church.
She was raised in Ensley, Alabama as a part of a big family and large community of lifelong friends and neighbors. She attended Council Elementary School and later graduated from A.H. Parker High School, Class of 1950. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama in 1956, a Master of Education degree from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama in 1971, and an AA teaching certification from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She served as an English Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal at A.H. Parker, West End, Jones Valley and Thomas Alternative High Schools before she retired from the Birmingham Board of Education.
She understood the strong bonds of family, helping prepare Sunday dinners, and planning gatherings for her parents, brothers, and sisters at the home house. She was instrumental in setting up the initial Ashford Family reunions in the late 1970’s in Birmingham and participated in the reunions from coast to coast for years to come. This tradition continues to this day, and the most recent twenty-second biannual reunion returned to its original location and took place in Birmingham in 2018.
In pursuit of her faith, she served on the Stewardess Board of her church, was a member of the Baskerville Gospel Choir and a Missionary. Furthermore, she was the Superintendent of the Board of Christian Education for many years. And, when she relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, she continued in her dedication to Christian fellowship.
She will always be remembered and cherished for her love and dedication to her faith, family and the education of others. Her compassionate spirit, empathetic nature, and ability to make a perfectly-timed phone call to check-in on those she loved will definitely be missed.
She was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers, Elizabeth Ashford Foster, Willie Mae Bradley, Pearlie Ashford Burton, Booker T. Ashford, Wilson Ashford, Marjorie Ashford Allen, Simpson Ashford, and Robert Louis Ashford.
She leaves to rejoice in her legacy her son Dr. James (Bess) Terrel Nunally, Jr., Chattanooga, TN; two grandsons, James (Lynne) Terrel Nunally, III, Trussville, AL, and Julian (Kianna) Nunally, J.D., Minneapolis, MN; brother, Dr. Rowell (Rosemary) Ashford, Nashville, AL; sister, Johnnie Bell Ross, Los Angeles, CA; life companion, Minister Harrison Carter; and a host of relatives, friends, and former students.
Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. (EST) Friday, September 3, 2021 at the funeral home, followed by the Celebration of Life and memorial service in the funeral home chapel. Interment: Forest Hills Cemetery.
The service will be streamed live via https://www.facebook.com/jpfchattanooga/ or visit johnpfranklinfh.com for additional instructions. Masking and social distancing will be observed.
Arrangements are by John P . Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, TN, 37404, 423-622-9995.