Hazel Bearden

Hazel Bearden, 92 of Branson.

Services for Hazel Bearden, 92 of Branson, will be Thursday, August 1, 2024 in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with the funeral service to begin at 11:00 am in the funeral home.  Private burial will be in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson.

Hazel Leota Gloyd was born on March 22, 1932 in Branson, Missouri.  She was one of twelve children born to Elmer & Agnes (Rose) Gloyd.  She attended North Bee Creek School and graduated from Branson High School in 1950.

Hazel married Leon Bearden on April 10, 1950 in Harrison, Arkansas.  They were blessed with two sons, David and Darrel and Hazel devoted her life to being a wife and mother.  She also worked alongside Leon in the auto parts business for many years at stores in Branson, Reeds Spring and Ozark.

Hazel will be most remembered for her love of God and love of her family.  She had attended First Assembly of God Church in Branson beginning as a child and was a faithful member there until her death.  She served as church secretary for many years, taught primary age Sunday School for 30 years along with carrying out many other acts of service at the church.  She believed in the power of prayer, faithfully studied her Bible, and let the light of Jesus shine through her as witness of a devoted life to Christ.

Second to her love of God, family was everything to Hazel.  From her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to her brothers and sisters, Hazel loved spending time with her family.  Sunday lunches, birthday parties and holidays were always a time of gathering which she would never miss.

Hazel entered into Glory on Monday evening, July 29, 2024 from her home in Branson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Bearden in 1996; husband Bob Layton who she shared 15 years of marriage with after Leon’s passing; her parents, Elmer & Agnes Gloyd; and siblings, Bessie Belle Gloyd, Harmon Gloyd, Gordon Gloyd, and Mary Wright.

She will be sorely missed but her heavenly entrance is celebrated by her family:  sons, David Bearden & wife Sandy of Hollister, Darrel Bearden & wife Susan of Branson; grandchildren, Becky Echols (Phil), Misty Rushing (Ron), Travis Bearden (Brigette), Eric Bearden (Kathy); great-grandchildren, Audrey, Nicholas, Thomas, Annison, Molly, Lucas, Jake, Willis, Carly, Phoebe, Wesley and Jenson; siblings, Margaret Boyd (John), Lottie Etchison, Helen Ebersole (Wayne), Elmer Gloyd, Jr. (Donna), Jane Watts, C.R. Gloyd (Shelly) and John Gloyd (Teresa) along with a host of extended family.

In Hazel’s memory, donations are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org or Gideons International, P. O. Box 1202, Branson, MO 65615.