Hazel W. Ryan

Hazel Wainwright Ryan, age 92, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022, in Fleming Island, Florida.  Hazel was born to Leila Irene Moody and Newnan Crews Wainwright on May 30, 1929, in Penny Farms, Florida.

Hazel graduated from Clay High School in Green Cove Springs, Florida, and was married to Rev. Thomas D. Ryan, Jr.  She continued to be very active in the Methodist Church after his passing.  Hazel was a member of the Green Cove Springs United Methodist Church.

Hazel was very active in the Clay County Historical Society and the Red Hat Society.  Through her many endeavors with her husband, they founded the Methodist Church of Orange Park, Wesley Manor Retirement Center in Mandarin, and the Lake Asbury Community -- all to secure a 100-acre retreat for the Methodist Church.  She is fondly known as the “Mother of Lake Asbury”.  Hazel will be remembered most for her generous and loving spirit as well as her great sense of humor.  Live, Love, Laugh was her mantra.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas D. Ryan, Jr.  Surviving family includes daughter Peggy Ryan Brown of Ridgeland, MS, sons Thomas D. Ryan, III (Nancy) of Green Cove Springs, FL, Zac E. W. Ryan (Jeannie) of Green Cove Springs, FL and James M. Ryan (Angela) of Lake Asbury, FL.  Her grandchildren include Ryan Brown of Olive Branch, MS, Cori Brown Cater of Starkville, MS, Jesse Ryan of Green Cove Springs, FL, Carly Ryan Roberts of Green Cove Springs, FL, Luke Ryan of Green Cove Springs, FL), Libby Ryan of Tacoma, WA, T.J. Ryan of Green Cove Springs, FL, Tripp Ryan of Michigan, Kelsey Ryan of Memphis, TN, Jessica Ryan Willis of Fleming Island, FL and Alyx Ryan of San Francisco, CA.  She also has eight great, grandchildren and surviving brothers Maxie Wainwright (Nora Lee) of Lake City, FL, and Grady Wainwright of St. Augustine, FL.

A Celebration of Life, Love, and Laughter will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church of Green Cove Springs where Reverend David Jackson will be presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Hazel Ryan Legacy Youth Fund at GiveSendGo.com.