Hazel Cecilia Welch Rivera passed away on December 7, 2022.
The family received friends on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, from 12 to 1 p.m. at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. in the Chapel with Fr. Craig Lister officiating. Burial will follow in Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
Hazel was born in Ironsides, Maryland, in 1927 to Adella and John Welch. She attended the University of Maryland. After graduation, she worked for the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C. After decades of venturing back and forth from the U.S., the family settled in Chalybeate Springs and Sanford and worked at Campbell University’s Book Store.
Hazel is survived by her three children, Patricia Rivera, Kenneth Rivera, and Roland Rivera; three grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and three great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ismael Rivera, mother and father, and siblings, Mildred Bowie, John “Junior” Welch and Harry Welch.
Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.