Hazel Newman Celebrates 100th Birthday in Clinton

Mississippi’s Hazel Langstonwas born a century ago, back when Woodrow Wilson served as president, American diners spent 50 cents for a delicious restaurant meal, and World War I battles raged overseas.

There were only four million automobiles traveling on the nation’s roads 100 years ago. January 2017 is quite a different time as President-elect Donald Trump soon takes office at the White House. Terrorism threats grow worldwide, Syria remains a war zone, and 50 cents won’t buy a cup of coffee this year.

On January 15, Hazel Newman Hemphill of Clinton will be joined by family and friends to mark her 100^th birthday. The event 2-4 p.m. Sunday will be held at the Baptist Healthplex on the Mississippi College campus.

People may remember her as Hazel Newman when she worked on the MC faculty as a physical education and health instructor before the Clintonian retired in 1979.

A Mississippi country girl who grew up on a farm, Hazel is clearly devoted to family during her retirement years. Her family includes several grandkids, and one new great-great grandson born in Texas earlier this week. Her family is throwing the birthday party and is inviting Hazel’s friends in the Clinton community to attend.

Growing up the 13^th child, Hazel said her dad worked hard to make ends meet for the Mississippi family as a farmer. But her life remains rich with memories of good times, at Clinton High, where she graduated in 1934, and later at all-female Hillman College (she’s a 1936 graduate).

 During the World War II era in the early 1940s, Hillman merged with Mississippi College that marked its 190^th anniversary last year. Hazel earned her master’s of education degree at MC in the 1950s. At the Baptist-affiliated school, Hazel Newman served as director of the Women’s Recreation Association.

As a new year begins, “I’m probably the oldest graduate of Hillman College,” Hazel says proudly. People say the Mississippian, who was widowed twice, is young at heart and a joy to be around. She lives on a family farm where she grew up west of Clinton.

Asked to spell out any secrets to a healthy and long life, Hazel noted she loves the outdoors, and stays active. “I was just born to two good people,” she said, when speaking of her parents, Webb and Minnie Langston. “I lived the life of a country girl.”

Her daughter-in-law, Susan Newman serves as director of the Quality Enhancement Plan at Mississippi College. She is one of Hazel’s many admirers in the Magnolia State.

A native of Jefferson Davis County, between Prentiss and Columbia, Hazel was among six of the 13 children in her family to attend either Hillman College or Mississippi College in Clinton.

At age 99, she continues to amaze friends and family alike. “I think people love her because of her interest in other’s lives. This interest is evident as she talks with people,” Susan Newman says. “She loves to hear of their families, their joys as well as their worries.”

MC’s 1971 “Tribesman,” the school yearbook, noted Hazel Newman’s interest in her students outside the classroom. She frequently invited her “girls” from the Choctaw Maidens drill team over for meals or picnics. The MC alumna provided the Mississippi College students with a home away from home.

Many of Hazel’s former Mississippi College students continue to visit Hazel year-round. Her real birthday will be January 22, 2017.This Sunday proved to be a convenient time for her family to attend the birthday party.

Hazel is used to being in the spotlight in Blue & Gold Country. At her alma mater, she was inducted into the MC Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. The MC Kinesiology Department saluted her as its distinguished graduate in 2005. And the recognition for Hazel Newman Hemphill’s wonderful life keeps coming 100 years after her birth.