Hazel Sherman

October 12, 1939, became a day forever woven into the fabric of history as John Phillip Dansby and Gertrude Gulley Dansby welcomed their firstborn child, Hazel Lee Dansby, into the world in beautiful Nevada County, Arkansas. From her earliest days, Hazel’s life would become a beautiful tapestry of faith, family, service, hard work, and unconditional love. She attended Cale Public Schools. She was employed at Alan White Company in Stamps, Arkansas as a Sewing Machine Operator.

Hazel was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Loy Van Sherman, and to this union four children were born: Larry, Velma Ann, Sharon Denise, and Penny Ann. Together they built a home where faith, love, and hard work were daily examples.

Her spiritual journey began at Cana AME Church and later continued at Harrison Chapel Baptist Church, where she faithfully served under the leadership of Rev. Bobby Box. A devoted servant of God, Hazel served as President of the Pastor’s Aide Ministry, church custodian, and a dedicated member of the choir. She took great pride in making sure the Lord’s house was always immaculate and that the pastor was well cared for, never forgetting to keep a fresh supply of water, juice, and peppermints nearby.

Church anniversaries and special occasions were made sweeter because everyone anticipated Hazel’s famous homemade coconut cakes and delicious sweet potato pies. Upon relocating to Camden, AR she united with Greater Love COGIC under the leadership of Bishop Junius Williams. She believed serving God meant serving others, and she did so with humility, excellence, and joy.

For many years, Hazel faithfully served families throughout Nevada County as a housekeeper. Her work reflected the very character she possessed. Whether making beds with precision, preparing meals with care, or ensuring every room sparkled, she believed every task deserved her very best. She was meticulous, dependable, and took genuine pride in caring for the homes and families she served.

On Saturdays, Hazel could often be found enjoying one of her favorite pastimes—traveling to yard sales alongside her beloved sister, Daisy Mae Gulley, or spending the day shopping with her daughters, Penny and Sharon. Those simple moments became treasured memories that her family will forever hold close.

A master of the domestic arts, Hazel possessed a rare gift for creating beauty from simple materials and ingredients. Her home was often filled with the comforting aroma of freshly baked sweet potato pies and coconut cakes, welcoming everyone who entered with warmth and love.

Equally gifted with needle and thread, Hazel spent countless hours at her sewing machine. Whether creating beautiful garments for family and friends, tailoring suits and dresses for local pastors and their wives, or carefully mending clothing, every stitch reflected patience, excellence, and love. She truly sewed pieces of her heart into everything she made, leaving behind a treasured legacy of handmade quilts and countless memories lovingly stitched together through her gifted hands.

As her health declined and she could no longer live independently, Hazel became a resident of Ouachita Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she quickly became a favorite among residents and staff alike. Affectionately known as “Mrs. Sherman,” she formed meaningful friendships and continued to brighten the lives of those around her. She found joy in reading her Bible, completing crossword puzzles, coloring, welcoming visits from family and friends, and faithfully watching her favorite television programs, Wheel of Fortune and The Price Is Right.

Having faithfully woven together a life of love, faith, sacrifice, and service, Hazel peacefully exchanged time for eternity on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Phillip Dansby and Gertrude Gulley Dansby; her beloved husband, Loy Van Sherman; her daughter, Velma Ann Sherman; and her siblings, Ella Dansby Settles, Daisy Mae Gulley, Lee Edward Dansby, Leonard Dansby, Dennis Dansby, and Rev. Curtis O. Dansby.

Left to cherish her precious memory are her loving daughters, Sharon Sherman Bell (Rickey) of Twentynine Palms, California, and Penny Sherman Mayweather (Rev. Dominic R. Mayweather) of Camden, Arkansas; her brother, Clifton Dansby of Bluff City, Arkansas; her beloved grandchildren, Dr. Grace Sherman of Denton, TX, Jacob Hendricks of Bastrop, TX, Enrico “DJ” Sherman of Camden, AR, Adam Bell (Kaitlyn) of Adairsville, GA, Abraham Bell of Phoenix, AZ, Lily Mayweather, and Leah Grace Mayweather of Camden, AR; her cherished great-grandchildren, Aazelyn Hendricks, Chaos Hendricks, Grant Bell, and Leila Bell; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were forever enriched by her kindness and love.

Though the hands that baked, cleaned, sewed, and lovingly cared for so many have now found their eternal rest, the beautiful pattern Hazel wove throughout her life remains stitched into the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Her thread may be finished on earth, but the masterpiece of her life will be treasured for generations to come.

A Celebration of Life honoring Mrs. Hazel Lee Dansby Sherman will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Williams Funeral Home, Arkadelphia with her son-in-love, Rev. Dominic R. Mayweather serving as Eulogist. Interment will follow at White Church Cemetery in Rosston, Arkansas.

Public visitation will be held Friday, July 24, 2026, from 12 until 6PM at Williams Funeral Home, Arkadelphia. 

Submitted by the Family