Hazel Ann Potts Harris, 83, returned to her Heavenly Home, Sept. 20, 2023, at her home in Woodruff, surrounded by family. The daughter of Samuel Edward Potts and Eva Afton Potts, Hazel was born in Arling, Idaho, Aug. 15, 1940. Hazel enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp in August 1958, just three days after her 18th birthday. While stationed in Orleans, France, Hazel was set up on a blind date with Sammy Jackson Harris for New Year’s Eve 1960. They married, July 8, 1961, and honeymooned in Paris, France. Hazel was honorably discharged from service shortly after their marriage and together they raised five children. Hazel loved fishing and camping, especially with her family. When it came to her flower garden or vegetable garden, she had a green thumb and loved to spend time taking care of her flowers, especially her roses. But by far, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family. Like her husband, Hazel had an open-door policy. If you came to their home, you were family and were treated as such. If you needed anything and she had the ability to provide, she did. After they retired from military service in 1983 (the family always considered it their retirement and not just Sam’s), they moved to Woodruff. Hazel worked for the Navajo County Treasurer’s Office for many years before taking a medical retirement. Hazel is survived by her children, Sammy Lee (Kathy), Michael Ray (Lisa), Steven Leroy (Jamie), Cheryl Ann and Anthony Wayne (Jenny); 41 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sammy Jackson Harris; her parents; brother, Robert Potts; grandchildren, Spencer Karol and Jennica Harris; and great-grandchild, Matthew Paul Hangen. Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 25, at the Woodruff Chapel in Woodruff. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Holbrook handled the arrangements.
