Hazel Keene Colding
Hazel Keene Colding, 87, formerly of Plant City, died April 11, 2016, in Fort Myers, Florida.
She was a proud Plant City native, born Dec. 12, 1928. She graduated from Pinecrest High School and after worked for the Ellis and Lowe Company. It was during this time that she joined the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and made many lifelong friends. She married Murray Colding, a childhood friend and Air Force NCO, in 1951. They began their lives together at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. Following this assignment was a tour of Wimpole Park, England, where their daughter, Linda, was born. The couple traveled throughout Europe, and Mrs. Keene saw Queen Elizabeth of England. Following assignments included Homestead AFB, Florida, Bitburg AB, Germany, RAF Lakenheath, England and Offutt AFB, Nebraska. After her husband retired from the Air Force in 1969, the family returned to Picnic, Florida and the family orange grove. In 2004, she and her husband moved to Plant City. In 2013, she joined her daughter in Orlando and last fall moved to Fort Myers.
She is survived by her daughter, Linda, of Ft. Myers; brother, Leon H. Keene, of Frostproof; and many nieces, nephews and dear cousins.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Murray; parents, Leon Preston and Lillie Smith Keene; and sister, Helen K. McBride.
A funeral service was held April 16, at Turkey Creek First Baptist Church in Plant City. Interment, next to her husband, followed at Hurrah Cemetery in Lithia.
Flowers will be accepted but contributions may be made to the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes, 1015 Sikes Blvd., Lakeland, Florida 33815.
Online condolences may be made at HopewellFuneral.com.
