Grace Ellen Hassell

Grace Ellen Hassell was born March 1, 1931 and was child of Tom and Ola Alexander. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Ola Alexander in 1966, husbands, Neely Hugghins in 1977, John Hassell in 2009, brother, J.T. Alexander in 1967, sister, Opal Wilcox in 1986 and nieces and nephews. She is survived by step-children, Malinda and husband Billy Conway of Henderson, TX, Johnny Hassell of Maydelle, TX, Ricky and wife Lori Hassell of Jacksonville, TX, brother, Truman and wife Quida Alexander of Lake Jackson, TX, sister, Johnnye Ratton of Mineola, TX, seven step-grandchildren, thirteen step-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews and great great nieces and nephews and cousins. She was a member of Eastside Baptist Church and lived in the Rusk area all her life. Ms. Hassell worked at Rusk State Hospital almost 31 years, the last 25 years in purchasing. She grew up in Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church in the Holcomb Community and was baptized in Goolsbe Pond in 1949. Ms. Hassell lived in the Bulah Community 45 years and her hobbies included quilting, knitting, crocheting, cross stitching, macramé, ceramics, making Christmas decorations, adult coloring books and she got great joy in giving items made away. She liked fishing and traveling and enjoyed God’s beauty in the things seen traveling. She was the Honor Student of the sophomore class of Rusk High School for the school year of 1946-1947. Ms. Hassell loved working with numbers and took a course in Business Math at Tyler Junior College and made an A+ in it. Her home was the gathering place for the Hugghins family and after her parents died it was the gathering place for the Alexander family too until several years ago when she could no longer handle it. Pallbearers will include Steve Alexander, Mark Alexander, Mike Alexander, Ronnie Alexander, Lacey Wilcox, Jody Moake, Jared Kendrick and Stephen Hassell. Honorary pallbearers will be Alan Hood, Terry Pickett, Bill Cantrell, John Millington, Alan Conway, Gary Conway, Lindsey Gathright and Brent Dickson. A private family viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2017 at Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home followed by a private family graveside service at 10:00 a.m. at Lynches Chapel Cemetery. A public memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Palmer officiating. If desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX, 75701.

Grace Ellen Hassell

March 1, 1931 - June 20, 2017