Hazel Irene Fairchild McCall 1939 Valedictorian
10 / 29 / 1921 – 02 / 12 / 2008
Memorial services for Hazel I. Fairchild McCall, 86, of Palestine, are scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday at Bailey & Foster Chapel, with the Rev. Scott Dornbush officiating.
Mrs. McCall died Tuesday February 12, 2008 at the David Foster Hospice Unit at Palestine Regional Medical Center.
She was born October 29, 1921, in Palestine to the late Carl Mercer and Pearl Daniels Fairchild, and was a lifelong resident. She graduated mid-term from Palestine High School in 1939 as valedictorian and vice president of the senior class. She attended TSCW (now Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas) for a year and two years at the University of Texas in Austin.
During World War II, she worked in civil service as a secretary and assistant to generals who found her a “capable, energetic, trustworthy and loyal worker and possessed all those attributes which make up the finest of American womanhood”. Her tact in dealing with subordinates and superiors was particularly commendable. Among many of her dear lifelong friends were Jean Owens and Elora Dale.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Mercer Fairchild, in 1937 and Pearl (Daniels) Fairchild, in 1967; her dear brother, Richard Wesley Fairchild of Nacogdoches in 1976; sister, Dorothy Martha Fairchild in 1971; and son, Adam Douglas McCall in 1964.
Her surviving children and spouses include daughters, Carla (McCall) LeGard and husband Larry E. LeGard of Palestine, and Martha “Jan” (McCall) Douthit and husband Michael Wayne Douthit of Palestine; son, Emmett (Buster) P. McCall III and wife Debbie (Thaxton) McCall of Austin; grandchildren, Stephen Wyatt LeGard and wife Kim (Collier) LeGard of Lewisville, Eric Damon LeGard of The Colony, Jennifer R. LeGard Layton and husband Donald E. Layton of Morgan’s Point Resort near Belton, Lori Michelle Douthit of Austin, Michael McCall Douthit of Arlington and Michael Thaxton McCall of Austin; great-grandchildren, Jordan Neal LeGard and Logan Christopher LeGard of Lewisville.
Contributions in Hazel McCall’s memory can be made to First United Methodist Church, 4225 S. Magnolia, Palestine, Texas 75801 and/or David Foster Hospice Unit, Palestine Regional Medical Center, 2900 S. Loop 256, Palestine, Texas 75801.
Guestbook
Source: Palestine Herald-Press 02-14-2008