Hazel Virginia Rudd Burns

Hazel Virginia Burns was born on July 24, 1927, to Sarah Thornton Rudd and James Steven Rudd in Rome, Georgia. Hazel graduated from Armuchee High School in 1944 and married Jether William Burns, Jr. on July 26, 1946. JW and Hazel lovingly started their family in Rome and raised two children, Jan and Garry. In the 1960s, they moved to Brookhaven, ultimately living most of their life together in their home on Northwoods Drive in Marietta, GA. Hazel peacefully passed away on December 4, 2023, at the incredible age of 96 in Lexington, SC surrounded by the love of her family including her children and their spouses, four grandchildren and their spouses, and five great-grandchildren. 

Growing up in Rome, Hazel was taught by her mother, a talented local seamstress, about the quality of garments. She used this expertise as a salesperson for both Lord & Taylor and Rich’s at Lenox from 1966 to 1974. Dressing beautiful ladies throughout the city, Hazel was always well heeled herself, often in the color purple. Purple, her lifelong favorite, well suited the regal place she held within our family. 

Throughout her long life, Hazel was a follower of the Lord. She understood that peace and happiness is found in loving each other and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Her family, her most important treasure, received her greatest adoration and she was fiercely loved by each of them. During their life together, Hazel and JW, enjoyed family trips to Florida, North Carolina Mountains and Tennessee. Hazel loved making memories on their screened porch, and meticulously maintaining their lawn and garden. Nana, as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, could always be counted on for a surprisingly specific witty quip or an oddly thorough summary of QVC’s latest items. Eating together, like most southern families, was a language of love for her. Her recipes, among many others, for impossible lasagna, biscuits, cheeseball, coconut cake and lemon icebox pie nourished us as a family in both body and spirit and will carry on in our kitchens. Often, after these meals, a short nap would follow. 

Through her surviving family members, Hazel’s legacy of charming wit and family devotion will continue. She is survived by her two children, Janice Burns Smith (Larry) and Garry William Burns (Nancy), four grandchildren: Kimberly Smith Campbell (Ted), Brent Smith (Courtney), Peyton Ashley Burns, and Morgan Burns Jackson (Coley) and five great-grandchildren: Theodore Hodges Campbell IV, Caroline Sarah Campbell, Chloe Smith Campbell, Ellie Lynn Bailey, and Veda Lynn Jackson. 

She is predeceased by her husband, her parents and brothers Milton Cicero Rudd and James Hollis Rudd.

May she rest in eternal peace, surrounded by the love she so freely gave to all of us. 

Visitation will take place on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 11 AM - 1 PM at Salmon Funeral Home in Rome, GA. A Graveside service to follow at 1:30 PM at Eastview Cemetery in Rome, all are welcome to join.

Salmon Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Hazel Burns.