Judith Evans Hazlewood
Judith Evans Hazlewood, known to all who loved her as Judy, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, at the age of 95. A remarkable woman who was ahead of her time, she will be dearly missed by her family, her friends, and all whose lives she touched.
Judy was born on March 30, 1930, in McKenzie, Tennessee, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. H. B. Evans. She grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated from Messick High School before attending Memphis State College, now known as the University of Memphis. There, she was an active member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. She later earned two master’s degrees from George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, and it was at Vanderbilt where she met her beloved husband, Dr. Bob J. Hazlewood.
Bob and Judy married in 1955 and built a life together defined by devotion, family, and a shared love of travel. They traveled widely across the United States and Europe and remained inseparable for 60 years until Bob’s passing in December 2015.
In 1964, the couple moved to Jackson, Tennessee, where Judy would spend the greater part of her life and career. She joined the faculty and staff of Lambuth College, where she served for 31 years—first as acquisitions librarian, then as Library Director, a position she held until her retirement in 1995. She was also a full-time professor and a Sigma Kappa chapter advisor. Her influence on students and colleagues at Lambuth was lasting and profound.
For more than 30 years, she was an active and faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Jackson, a community she loved dearly. A voracious reader, an expert seamstress, and a gifted cook, Judy brought the same care and mastery to everything she did. In her later years, she moved to Memphis to be closer to her family, and nothing brought her more joy than time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Jeffrey E. Hazlewood, and his wife Sue D. Hazlewood, of Lebanon, Tennessee; her daughter, Amy H. McAtee, and her husband Neal McAtee, of Birmingham, Alabama; five grandchildren: Joseph Hazlewood, Jenna Ullrich (Ron) of Lebanon, Abby Gatliff (Cort) of Birmingham, Maggie McAtee of Birmingham, and Will McAtee (Kathleen) of Auburn, Alabama; and three beloved great-granddaughters: Eleanor Gatliff, Ruthie Gatliff, and Nealy Gatliff.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude and love to Tiffany Smith (owner of Hands for Caring, LLC), Elnora Lurry, Phyllis Jones, Bobbie White, Kimberly Boga, and Australia Young, whose devoted care and friendship meant everything to Judy during the last 14 years of her life. They made her laugh, they gave her companionship, and they kept her comfortable and loved. No words can fully express how grateful the family is for each of them.
A graveside service will be held at Ridgecrest Cemetery in Jackson, Tennessee, on March 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The service will be officiated by the Reverend Abby Gatliff.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to First United Methodist Church, Jackson, Tennessee.
