Hazel Strother Ladd

Hazel Strother Ladd, 93, passed on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at her home in Johnston County. She was preceded in death by her father, Junior Clyde Strother; mother, Hattie Pauline Goodwin Strother, both of Webster Springs, WV; her brother, James Raymond Strother of Durham, NC; her sons, Sherman Edwin Giles Jr (Iva), Dan Durwood Giles Sr (Sue) and Allen Dwayne Giles (Sandra); her previous husbands, Sherman Edwin Giles and Peter Jackson Ladd; and grandsons, Trevor Giles and Joseph Dale Ashby II; and great grandson Jakiell T A Huff.

She is survived by her daughters, Donna Ladd McGhee (Danny) and Linda Ladd Hernandez (Bulmaro); grandchildren, Ryan Giles, Shelby Giles, Dan Giles II, Matthew Giles (Aimee), Gregory Giles (Jesse), Cinnamon Collins, Wesley “Pete” Riley (Shannon), Alicia Moore (John), Crystal McGhee, and Traci McGhee; an aunt, Verona Enoch; and many great grandchildren; great great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; and her extended restaurant and church families.

Her life was marked by a love for Jesus, West Virginia, bluegrass music, singing, yodeling, cooking, crochet, sewing, gardening and Duke basketball. She owned and operated Hazel’s restaurants in Durham and was known locally as “The Hot Dog Queen.”

She was generous, a hard worker, a teacher, fearless, believed the best of others and always held hope that everyone may come to know Jesus. She loved being a part of the local church, most recently, Shiloh Baptist Church in Garner, NC. She is loved and missed by many.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, September 19th at 1 pm at Shiloh Baptist Church, 3414 N Shiloh Rd, Garner NC, 27529. Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 pm before the service. Burial will take place at Harnett Devotional Gardens, Dunn, NC.