IVA, S.C. (Hazel Gable) Hazel Brown Gable, 87, wife of the late Douglas Wayne Gable of Iva, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at her residence.
Born in Anderson, on March 26,1934, she was a daughter of the late Sidney Johnson Brown and the late Mary Elizabeth Simpson Brown.
Hazel was a lifelong resident of the Grove Community in Iva, S.C. where she and her late husband farmed the land around their home and raised their family. She was very well connected to the community and was always one of the first to help a neighbor in a time of need or loss.
She was most notable for her service to the Grove Fire Department, Station #18. After joining the Ladies Auxiliary, she began her career as a volunteer firefighter in 1972, after completing a fire-fighting technology training course offered by the S.C. State Fireman’s Association. Upon completion of this course, she was certified as a fireman, making her South Carolina’s first female firefighter. After her many years of being an “active” firefighter, Mrs. Gable continued to support the Grove Fire Department by being an Honorary Member.
In addition to her time in fire service, Mrs. Gable worked and retired from Crescent High School, where she earned the title “Major Gable”, from the students who attended her study hall class over the years. She took her job very seriously and cared about all the students and staff at Crescent High.
Hazel was a long-time member of Poplar Spring Baptist Church. She was president of the Senior Sunday School Class for many years, treasurer for the senior group, “Silver Stars”, she sang in the sanctuary choir, she helped with vacation bible school and served on the bereavement committee. In later years, she joined Andersonville Baptist Church in Anderson, where her son-in-law is pastor.
She is survived by her daughters, Norma Jean Evans (Bruce), Rita Gable, and Charlene Powell, grandchildren, Amy Evans (Tommy Miller), Melissa Powell (Chevis) and April Strickland (Josh) and great-grandchildren, Tinsley Gable Evans, Brian Lee Lewis II, Colt Douglas Strickland and Emery Belle Strickland.
She is also survived by her siblings, Margie Hicks, Mildred Anderson (Charles), and A.N. Brown (Betty).
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Sabra Ann Gentry and her brother, Levis Brown.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2:00pm at Poplar Spring Baptist Church, 8041 Hwy 187 S, Iva, S.C. 29655. Rev. Ed Hunsinger and Rev. Bruce Evans will officiate. She will be buried beside her husband in the church cemetery. Firefighter Honors will be rendered at the graveside.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 9, 2021, from 11:00am – 1:00pm at The Standard Cremation & Funeral Center, 1621 Pearman Dairy Rd. Anderson, S.C. 29625.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Iva Rescue Squad, PO Box 519 Iva, S.C. 29655.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.standardfuneralcenter.com
THE STANDARD CREMATION & FUNERAL CENTER