Juanita Hazzard Lee

Juanita (“Nita”) Hazzard Lee, who was also fondly known as “Nana”, was born on March 8, 1950 in Abbeville, South Carolina. Her proud parents were the late Louise Lomax Hazzard and Sanders Hazzard. Nita was the sixth of seven children born to this union. She grew up in Abbeville and enjoyed residing in the Blue Hill Community, which was a close-knit village.

Nita attended the public schools in Abbeville, where she was always extremely active in numerous clubs, the band, and other activities. She was especially honored for being an outstanding Lead Majorette for the J.S. Wright High Marching Band. Nita graduated from J. S. Wright High School in 1968 and then attended Savannah State College where she received her bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1972. While at Savannah State, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta (DST), and she stayed extremely active with her sorority throughout her life until her health declined. Nita was a Life Member of DST, and she always depicted the significant values of her sorority. She loved both DST and Savannah State College where she was an active and involved alumna.

In 1979, Nita begun her professional work career at BellSouth Corporation (which was later AT&T), where she worked for 41 years until her retirement in February 2020. As she worked in the Legal Department fulfilling the breadth of her job responsibilities, Nita was also quite well known for her creative activities for monthly themes to promote the work culture environment, as well as to have a focus on the importance of health & wellness. She was indeed a devoted and longstanding employee.

From her early childhood years, Nita grew up in St. Peter AME Church, which she loved. She participated in extensive activities during her active membership at St. Peter, and throughout her life, she always returned to make presentations and to support various programs. When she came to Atlanta in 1974, Nita joined Mt. Carmel AME Church in the Thomasville area of Atlanta, and she later joined St Paul AME Church in Covington, GA. She was always extremely active as a leader in her churches, and she served in various capacities at the local, district, and conference levels. Nita was a devout Christian who loved the Lord, and she showed this radiantly in every aspect of her life.

While at Savannah State College, Nita met her beloved husband and life partner, Joseph “Joe” Lee. The ywere married in April 1974 and recently celebrated 52 years of matrimony. Joe was the  love of her life, and they cherished many memorable life experiences. Her next love in life was their son, Mylon Lee, who she absolutely adored. They shared a very special bond in their mother-son relationship.

And then, her love spotlight shined on her grandchildren (Kayin, Mylon [MJ], and Milan), all of whom she loved deeply and supported endlessly. The grandchildren were the “sparks” that ignited bright light in Nita’s life. Mylon’s fiancé, Jasmine Knight, also entered Nita’s love circle many years ago, and she was a valued primary caregiver during the last stages of Nita’s failing health. Jasmine and Nita were bonded in very special and meaningful ways.

Nita upheld her values and her commitments to the highest degree. She was adamant about health and wellness, and she was an avid runner. Nita ran over 40 Peachtree Road Races, as well as numerous half and full marathons. She actively encouraged others to eat right and exercise, which she always practiced faithfully. Nita was a stellar role model and stood steadfast to uphold all of her values, including her devotion to Black history. She was well known for her depiction of Harriett Tubman, which she dramatized in a marvelous way.

Without a doubt, Nita will be dearly missed by her husband Joe, her son Mylon, her grandchildren (Kayin, MJ and Milan), Jasmine, and her living siblings (Elizabeth H. Garner, Virginia Freeman, James M. Hazzard, and Dr. Marilyn Hazzard Lineberger). Her sister Georgia Parker preceded her in death. She will also be deeply missed by her nieces and nephews, her only living uncle (Charles) and his wife Reverend Brenda Lomax, a host of cousins, and an army of friends. We all loved her so dearly, but God loved her best!

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