Ms. Hazel Virginia Mcchesney

Hazel Virginia McChesney, 95, of Dawson Springs, Kentucky passed away on October 11, 2012 in New Albany, Indiana. Born December 11, 1916 in Guthrie, Kentucky, Hazel and her family arrived in Dawson Springs by horse and buggy in 1927. She was the daughter of Judge C.C. & Nora Moorefield. Over her 95 years, “Miss Hazel” was revered by her friends and family for her strength, character, and dignity.



Professionally, Hazel was first a dental assistant at Outwood Hospital. She then bought and operated Betty’s Florist for a number of years. Then, Hazel & her late husband, Jim, opened their restaurant, The Hickry Pit, in 1964 and successfully operated it for 26 years. In addition, in 1973, The Hickry Pit was chosen to represent Kentucky cuisine by the Smithsonian Museum for their Annual Folk Life Festival held in Washington D.C.



Hazel was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Hazel also enjoyed being an active member of the Y.W. Club, Garden Club, and her Friday Bridge group. Energetic and young at heart, she loved to travel and spend time at her home on Lake Beshear. Hazel adored Christmas and looked forward to decorating her home every year. Entertaining people in her home was her passion, which gave Hazel an excuse to dress up in high heels and show off her supreme hostess skills. She also loved to garden, argue with Jim about how much to salt their beans, tomatoes, her family, and being blonde.



Of her family, Hazel was the last surviving family member of the “greatest generation.” She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, James Andrew McChesney; a brother, Robert Moorefield; a sister, Jo Wayne; and grandson, Chris McChesney. She is survived by a son, Patrick McChesney of Dawson Springs, Kentucky; a daughter, Jan McChesney Lucas of Floyds Knobs, Indiana; and two grandchildren, Kent Lucas of Jeffersonville, Indiana; and Caroline Lucas Gray of Lexington, Kentucky.



Her funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at Beshear Funeral Home, 201 N. Main Street, Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, October 15, 2012 and from 12-1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at Beshear Funeral Home.



Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the:



Chris McChesney Memorial Scholarship



c/o Dawson Springs Board of Education



118 E Arcadia Ave



Dawson Springs, KY 42408