Funeral services for Mary Hazel Jones Landers, 86, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Monday, July 24, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Rev. Steve Woody, Bro. Kevan Wood, and Rev. Don Willis officiating. Interment will follow in the Jones Prairie Cemetery in Leggett, Texas. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. until the service begins at 2:00 p.m.

Mrs. Landers was born June 1, 1931 in Livingston, Texas to parents, Edward Ward Jones and Hazle Allen Jones, and passed away July 22, 2017 in Livingston, Texas after a protracted illness. She is preceded in death by her parents; and husband, L.B. Landers.

She was a graduate of the 1948 class of Livingston High School, received a Bachelor's degree in English from Sam Houston State Teacher's College and a Master's degree in Library Science from the University of Texas at Austin. Mary Hazel spent her working lifetime as a librarian in the State of Texas public school system, primarily as Head High School Librarian for the Texas City High School until her retirement in 1997.

Mary Hazel was married on June 4, 1977 to L.B. Landers, who was an administrator in the Texas City school system for many years.

Shortly after her retirement, she moved back to Livingston, somewhat apprehensively because, except for family, she didn't know very many people in Livingston anymore. It was a new start for her. She immediately joined the First United Methodist Church of Livingston and was very active in her DMA Sunday School Class and the Silver Bell ringers. She became very active in the Friends of the Library, Manna Fest, Relay For Life, the Red Hat Society, and became reacquainted with old friends. She loved working in her yard and decorating it. It became an object of community interest. She loved international travels and even took one all summer cargo freighter cruise.

Her family is very grateful to the medical doctors; Bruce and Bobbie Ott and the staff of Tall Pines Assisted Living Facility; Denise Nellsch and the staff of Kindred Hospice; and the staff of Pine Ridge Health Care for all the kind and loving care which they gave Mary Hazel during the last years of her life.

She is survived by her brother, Ward Jones and wife, Billie of Livingston, Texas; niece, Mary Beth Wood and husband, Kevan of Livingston, Texas; their children, Eric and wife, Sarah, Stephen and wife, Christina, and Kristin and husband, Jarrod; nephew, Edward Jones of Livingston, Texas; his children, Brandi and husband, Kevin, Edward Jones, V. and Misty; 11 great-great nieces and nephews; step-daughter, Patricia Winette of Texas City, Texas; step-son, James Landers of Texas City, Texas; grandchildren, Kyle Oquendo and husband, Johnny, Paige Platt and husband, Shaun, and Clay Landers; great-granddaughter, Zoey Platt; life-long friends who are like family, Sue Peters Nunn and Jim Peters and wife, Carol; along with numerous other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers: Eric Wood, Stephen Wood, Jarrod Greening, Clay Landers, Shaun Platt, Johnny Oquendo

Honorary Pallbearers: Edward Jones, V

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Hazel's honor may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Livingston Library, Manna Fest, Cancer Society, or to a charity of your choice.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .