Hazel Frances Underwood
April 29, 1929 ~ December 15, 2023
Hazel Frances Underwood, 94 of Columbus, passed from this life at 6:16 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2023, peacefully at her daughter’s home in Elizabethtown, Indiana.
Mrs. Underwood was born April 29, 1929, at 9:00 pm in Garrard County, Lancaster, Kentucky, the daughter of Claude and Lettie (Ray) Bolton. Lettie died while pregnant with twins with a stroke when Frances was 3 years old. She married Frank Underwood in 1945 in Columbus, Indiana. He preceded her in death in October 1972, as well as 15 other brothers, sisters, and stepbrothers, who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Underwood worked as a waitress for several restaurants during the 50s and 60s in Columbus, and also CP Electronics, sometimes working three jobs to care for her three children. Later, she began working at the Columbus Regional Hospital in February 1972 and worked there for the next 48 years with her daughter Pamela Richards, retiring at the age of 91; and then only because of Covid concerns.
Her dedication as a loving mother and her work ethic made a lasting impression on her family and friends, providing them with comfort and guidance during challenging times, always making time for them. To her family, Frances was not just a mother, grandma, aunt, and mother-in-law; but a source of strength, humility, unconditional love, happiness, and friendship. Her presence in their lives is immeasurable.
As our mom Frances enters Heaven, she was baptized from Becks Grove Christian Church as a 9-year-old child in a small creek from her soon-to-be home in Becks Grove, Indiana (Brown County). She takes with her the peace and joy she gathered while here on earth from those who knew her well. SHE WAS LOVED!
Her life will be cherished by her daughters and son, Pamela Richards of Elizabethtown, Indiana; Leta Johnson of Laurel, Indiana; and Revis Underwood of Litchfield Park, Arizona; 8 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren. (5 generations of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and cousins)
Unselfishly, Frances wanted to share her life upon death so that others may live and years ago donated her body to Science at the Indiana University Anatomical Education Program, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.
Family and friends may gather for a memorial service at 7:00 P.M. Thursday, December 21, 2023. Calling will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home in Columbus. She will be missed.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
You are invited to view her video, light a virtual candle, and send a message to the family. www.jewellrittman.com
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There’s no words to describe how sweet and loving this lady was God bless her family I will miss her I’ve missed her since she retired and I pray things will go well for the family I know she’s in a better place God bless her they don’t make them like that anymore you know they just don’t
Divine Peace Bouquet was purchased for the family of Hazel Frances Underwood.
I love my momma. I will always remember our Air Force ‘assignments’ together. I think she spent about as much time on base with us than she
did home. Calling her and taking recordings of her for years will be special to review. She once told me that was illegal. Nope, I said. It’s not illegal if only one party knows…and I was in Arizona. Gonna Miss her for taking care of meall her life. As George Jones song says she lived. “Whose gonna fill her shoes”. Love you mom~”you too son, you too”
During one of her many visits to Hawaii, her Ohana and my Ohana, (which really became one collective Hoosier-Hawaii Ohana), we were talking about Ohanas (families) and how they sustain us. Frances was talking about her clan, and she says to me, “once we take you in we’ll either cure ya or kill ya”! I laugh every time I think of this. I knew what she meant, the “Underwood Ohana” would make you their own. E ho’omaha me ke maluhia (Hawaiian for Rest in Peace)…a hui hou (until we meet again).
Working with and getting to know Frances was an absolute blessing. What a beautiful and amazing soul. Listening to her stories and all of her accomplishments would blow me away. Not only was she kind, determined and so wonderful, she was funny! Some of her comments would never fail to crack me up. The world has lost an amazing woman. Sending love and prayers to Pam and the whole family.
Sweetest Sunrise Bouquet was purchased for the family of Hazel Frances Underwood.
Columbus East Girls Basketball Team planted a Memorial Tree in honor of Hazel Frances Underwood.
So many wonderful memories – met in 1975 and was so glad to see again in 1993 when I began working in Columbus again. Smiles and never a complaint shared. Prayers of comfort for family.
Vasey Commercial, Inc. purchased the Arrive in Style for the family of Hazel Frances Underwood.
Vasey Commercial, Inc. planted a Memorial Tree in honor of Hazel Frances Underwood.
An external video has been added.
Pam, I am so very sorry for your (and your family’s) loss. Hazel was a delight to know and care for. She inspired me with her dedication to the hospital and her community. I am grateful she donated her body for further education of future doctors and nurses. She was certainly a role model for me. Seeing her name on my schedule in the morning was enough to make me smile and happily anticipate catching up with her. I will pray for you and your family
as you now navigate your life without a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.
Donna Darcy, MD
She was always so sweet and caring about each of us. She always asked about Christina and Daniel. She wanted to know how old my grandkids were and what they were doing. She will be missed by all but now she can join the rest of her family in heaven and feel go.
1 file added to the album Funeral Service