Hazel Trotter

Hazel Willis Trotter, beloved wife of Andrew (Andy) Hugh Trotter, Sr. (1912-2004) entered the presence of her friend and Lord on Aug. 28, 2020 at the age of 96 at Alexian Village, where she received excellent care. Though we will miss her, she was greatly looking forward to her true homecoming.

Hazel was born in Atlanta, Georgia and lived with her parents in Knoxville, Tennessee during her formative years. She loved learning and she loved acting. She fondly remembered beating Oscar-winning actress Patricia Neal in a drama reading competition in junior high school. It was during a play in Gatlinburg that her soon-to-be husband, Andy Trotter, spotted her and fell in love. She and Andy were married in 1939, only six weeks after they had first met. That marriage lasted 65 years until Andy passed away in 2004.

The couple lived in Maryville, Tennessee from 1940-1956 and had four children. They then moved to Chattanooga where Andy and his brother, Amos, started Amos and Andy Buick Company on Broad Street. That company was re-named Trotter Buick after Andy went out on his own and started Trotter Pontiac, later adding Mercedes-Benz and Isuzu to the dealership.

They found a church home in First Presbyterian Church, where they found comfort after the death of their second child, Pat, who was struck by lightning at 14 years of age. Also it was there they learned that the “God of all comfort” truly was that in Jesus, and, sitting under the preaching of Dr. James L. Fowle and, later, of Ben Haden, they began to follow Christ in earnest. Hazel served by teaching Sunday school to the junior-school girls at First Pres., a women’s Bible study in her home, and child evangelism to the underprivileged children of South Broad Street.

Her love for a good joke was only transcended by her love for the Bible, which she read faithfully almost every day of her life. Sometimes she combined the two. Once, to encourage her children not to complain but be thankful, she taped the following verse to their mirrors: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24).

Many are known as “prayer warriors”, and Hazel was a general in that army. Praying in several groups for many, many years, she was always ready to ask what needs you had so she could pray for them.

Hazel developed a close friendship with Nancy Lackey, the woman who worked for her for over 50 years. Together they taught the children and together they loved their Lord, defying in His name the racial tension of the 1960’s.

She is survived by her three remaining children and their spouses: Andrea and Merrill Sexton, Andrew (Drew) and Marie Cochran Trotter, and Polly and Phil Long, and by nine grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren. We are blessed to have called her Mother and Mema, and will always be encouraged by the memory of her ready wit, generous spirit, and enduring love. Most of all, and most importantly, she provided us a sure model of how to live a life knowing who you are, Whose you are, and where you are going.

A memorial service will take place on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 1p.m., at Lookout Mt. Presbyterian Church (423-821-4528). The link to the livestream of the service is https://vimeo.com/453379238/1c168ce1ce.

Gifts of memorial can be given to the ministry of Drew Trotter at the Consortium of Christian Study Centers at this link: https://studycentersonline.org/donate/ or to the ministry of Philip and Melissa Long at this link: https://give.cru.org/search-results.html?q=melissa%20long

Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (423) 821-7551

Please share your memories, stories and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com.