KINSTON - Hazel Elizabeth Mozingo Blizzard, 87, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at her home surrounded by her loving family in Kinston following a two-year period of declining health. She was born on April 5, 1925, in Farmville, N.C. to John and Lessie Parker Mozingo. Her parents, along with her younger brother, John Mozingo Jr., all of Farmville, preceded her in death. Mrs. Blizzard left Farmville after graduating from high school in 1942 to attend Women's College in Greensboro. Although she decided at an early age that she wanted to become a nurse, she left Greensboro to pursue a business degree at Boyd's Business College and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Once her business studies were completed, she went to work for the War Department, reporting to General George C. Marshall and General Dwight D. Eisenhower at the Pentagon. Upon her return to North Carolina in 1947, Mrs. Blizzard continued to pursue her interest in nursing by entering the Memorial General Hospital School of Nursing (now Lenoir Memorial Hospital). She graduated in three years and became a staff nurse at Memorial General. While working there, she met her future husband, J. D. Blizzard, an ambulance driver employed by Garner Funeral Home who went to the hospital to transport a patient. They were married in 1950 and enjoyed 57 years of marriage before his death in 2007. In 1959, Mrs. Blizzard's nursing career began at Lenoir Memorial Hospital as a supervisor in Nursing Services. She graduated from ECU in 1964 with a BSN degree and was subsequently named Director of Nursing Services and Nursing Education. In that role, she saw that the graduating classes of the Lenoir Memorial School of Nursing enjoyed a high statewide ranking for being prepared to pass required state boards. Mrs. Blizzard was always known to "run a tight ship" and was respected for her professionalism and knowledge in the field of nursing. After her retirement in 1973, she continued her passion for nursing by assisting family and friends as a private duty nurse whenever needed and was named to the Lenoir Memorial Hospital's Hall of Honor in 2008. Mrs. Blizzard was a dedicated member of Spilman Memorial Baptist Church for over 50 years and enjoyed singing in the chancel choir and participating in the Esther Sunday School class as long as she was able. Mrs. Blizzard is survived by her son, Doug Blizzard and his wife Kay, of Kinston; and granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth of Denver, Colo. The family is extremely grateful to BJ, Alisha, Ethel, and Janet for the wonderful, loving care they provided to Mrs. Blizzard during the past two years. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, August 16, 2012, at Spilman Memorial Baptist Church, 601 Madison Avenue, Kinston, with visitation immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Blizzard's name to The Lenoir Community College Foundation, Hazel Blizzard Nursing Scholarship, P. O. Box 188, Kinston, NC 28502or to 3HC of Lenoir County, 2405 N. Heritage Street, Suite I, Kinston, NC .Online condolences may be sent to the family at howardandcarter.com. Arrangements are by Howard-Carter Funeral Home. Sign the guest book at kinston.com. (Paid obituary)