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Hazel Ozella Dowdy, age 95, passed away peacefully May 31, 2023, due to complications arising from Advanced late-onset Alzheimer’s. She was born Sept. 30, 1927, in Columbia, Miss. to Elbert and Hazel Johnson. She married three times and survived all spouses. George Dowdy, preceded her in death in 1989.

Hazel (best known as Ozella, or simply Zell) had a genuine love for all who allowed her into their lives.

Her hands were rarely still; she knitted or crocheted constantly, which was her art.  She never sold a piece, rather she enjoyed giving them away to friends and family alike.

For many years, Ozella was a member of Foxworth First Baptist Church in her native Mississippi, later at Monroe Street Baptist Church, and her final church home was Main Street Baptist Church in Bogalusa, La.

Her life was a living example of her favorite Bible verse, Micah 6:8 —

“He has shown you, O man, what

is good;

And what does the Lord require

of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your

God?”

Ozella was preceded in death by spouses; parents; grandparents; one brother, Willie M. Johnson; one sister, Patience C. Pelham; and one grandchild, Troy D. Brooks.  

She is survived by her brother, Henry E. Johnson (Beth); son, Larry D. Brooks (Sharon); daughter, Carolyn Brooks Jones; four grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. All of whom, she loved and touched deeply.

Please join us in celebrating her life with a visitation on Monday, June 5, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m and a second visitation on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, from 12:30 p.m. until time for the service at 2 p.m. at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home, 216 Alabama Ave, Bogalusa, Louisiana with Rev. Patrick Magee officiating. Interment to follow at Lott Cemetery in the New Hope Community, Mississippi.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Association.

To view and sign the guestbook go to pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.