Hazel L. Barnett

Hazel L. York Barnett, of Cottonwood, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2015 at the age of 93. She was born on December 18, 1921 in Roswell, NM to Clint and Rita (Sneed) Johnson. At the age of only two months, Clint and Rita moved their family to AZ where Hazel spent the rest of her life. She lived and attended school in Ajo, AZ and after graduating came to the Verde Valley. She married Cottonwood native Joel York on July 30, 1939 before going on to work for both the Cottonwood and Sedona Post Offices during the 1940\u0027s and running a Sedona restaurant in the 1950\u0027s. In 1957, Hazel and Joel moved to Yuma, AZ where they owned and operated a liquor and convenience store. After Joel\u0027s passing, Hazel met and married Claude "Barney" Barnett on July 7, 1974. She continued to operate her store until 1987 when she retired and moved back to Cottonwood. Hazel was a volunteer for Verde Valley Medical Center for 15 years and a member of Verde Valley Christian Church. She loved looking for and collecting antiques and she loved her church and her church family. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, both of her husbands, Joel York and Barney Barnett, her brother Clint Johnson, her son Clint York and her niece Christy Butler. She is survived by her daughters, Kay York and Nicole Russell of Cottonwood, her grandson, Joel York of California, and her sister, Colleen Nash of Cottonwood. A memorial service will be held in honor of Hazel\u0027s life on Saturday, July 18 at 1 PM at Verde Valley Christian Church located at 406 S. 6th St. in Cottonwood. In lieu of flowers, donations in Hazel\u0027s name may be made to the Verde Valley Christian Church Building Fund. An online guestbook is available to sign at www.westcottfuneralhome.com