Hazel Walley Overton passed into eternal peace on Friday, March 8, 2019, at the age of 95.

Born Oct. 29, 1923, in the Lee’s Creek Community where her grandfather, W.E. Mathews, was pastor of Lee’s Creek Baptist Church, she was the only child of Luther G. Walley and Caroline “Carrie” Walley. She moved to New Orleans with her family as a young child and was reared in the city. There she met her husband, Anderson “Andy” Overton, who was stationed at Lakefront Air Force Base. After his service in the Air Force, they moved to Bogalusa and in 1951 they founded Gayle’s Jewelers.

A longtime member of Superior Avenue Baptist Church, she and her husband were active members there and they also supported many missionaries through Ropeholders and were active in Gideons International and Gideons Ladies Auxiliary. She loved her Sunday School class, the Ester and Martha’s Willing Workers class. She was a true Southern lady devoted to her family and friends. Hers was a life truly well lived.

She leaves loving memories to her two daughters, Carolyn (Robert) McGehee and Gayle (Chuck) Davis; four granddaughters, Cristi (Bobby) Tanner, Bridget (Jeff) Russell and their father, Douglas McDaniel, Brooke (Dr. Larry) Leblanc and Holli (Dr. Brown) Bradford; great-grandchildren, Caroline and Carlton Knight and their father, Brian Knight, Anderson and Corbett Russell, Mary Lindsey and Luke LeBlanc and Hazel Bradford.

She was also a caring step-grandmother to Bryan (Nicole) McGehee, Kristi (W04 Scott) Hinson, and step-great-grandmother to Brianna (John) Thomas and their son, Bradley; Chastyn (Ben) Wright and their daughter, Skyla and Collin McGehee.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Andy Overton; and her loving parents, L.G. and Carrie Walley.

Visitation will be held at the Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Sunday, March 10, starting at 10 a.m., and will remain open until the funeral service at 2 p.m. The service will be conducted by Dr. Larry Leblanc and the Rev. Clay Norwood. Interment will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Anderson Russell, Carlton Knight, Corbett Russell, Bobby Tanner, Jeff Russell and Dr. Brown Bradford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made Superior Avenue Baptist Church or Gideons International.