WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Dr. Hazel K. "Sister Hazel" Williams passed away Friday night. She was the founder of Angel of Mercy in Gainesville Ministries @WUFTNews
— Nestor Montoya (@NMontoyaNews) July 17, 2016
Dr. Williams was 91. She remained a tireless advocate of the homeless and downtrodden in Gainesville.
At this time there is no service information. @WUFTNews
— Nestor Montoya (@NMontoyaNews) July 17, 2016
Local band Sister Hazel named itself after her and eventually rose to national prominence with its 1997 hit “All For You.” Songfacts in 2008 interviewed lead singer Ken Block, who said this:
I was a little kid, and I remember saying, “Mom, that lady helps out people she doesn’t even know?” My mom said, “Yeah.” And I thought that was very cool. And kind of in that spirit of unconditional regard for people. She happens to be an old female black minister, but she doesn’t care what religion, what race, what orientation, if you’re a prostitute or a drug addict or anything, she’ll give you a safe, warm place to dust off, regroup, and get back on your feet. And we always thought that’s what unconditional regard for your fellow man is all about. … We still send her a little bit of money every month and we try to help her out and call attention to her cause as well as we can.
People began honoring her life on social media over the weekend.
We’ll soon share more about her life from those who knew her.
