Haines City, FL - Hazel Virginia Elliott, 93, passed away on February 23, 2009 due to natural causes.

She was born June 10, 1915 in Dacoma, Oklahoma to Archibald and Mattie Elliott.  She had five brothers and five sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.  She moved with her mother and family from Turpin, Oklahoma, to Haines City in 1926.  She was a retired elementary school principal, having served as a teacher and principal in Haines City Eastside Elementary from 1941 – 1962, and Principal at Alta Vista Elementary from1962 – 1980, when she retired.  On November 2, 1986, the New Media Center at Alta Vista was dedicated in her honor.  She was a member of the First Christian Church of Haines City, having served as a teacher and superintendant of the Bible School.

In 2003, she was selected as Pioneer of the Year, as she was 70 years of age or more (she was actually 88), and had lived in Haines City 50 years or more (she had actually resided in Haines City for 77 years).  She was honored for her contributions to the City of Haines City and was presented to the community at an outdoor celebration at Lake Eva during Heritage Week. 

Her long 93 year life was dedicated to education and family. 

Services will be held at the Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Haines City at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 28, 2009 with family receiving visitors the hour prior to the service.