Beverly Hazelwood was a loving mother for three sons, a wife and my best friend. A beautiful lady both inside and outside. She made her way through life as if she was a beautiful love song. For more than 25 years, she was a moving force within top levels of commercial real estate in Atlanta. After she raised 3 boys, went to work for Cousins Properties, she earned the respect of Tom and Bob Cousins, and Barry McWhirter. She began her career in the legal department and quickly rose to a manager in the mortgage equities, Vice President in construction and later sales. Tom Cousins once told me, “she was quick to learn and could see the ‘industry’ and had a ‘natural feel’ for sales because she learned every phase of the business.” She was a beautiful person and could get into the arena that others could not penetrate. She was a star performer in a world reserved for men. She never became, “one of the boys”. Later she became President of two commercial brokerage firms, McWhirter Realty and Roberts Commercial. She was active until the last 3 weeks and did not want her friends to know about her illness. She earned respect from all she touched. She is admired by dozens of young people. She took personal pride in helping them on the path to success. “Many are the stars of today and tomorrow”, she said many times, “this is my true success.” This was her true passion. Beverly was generous, skillful and extraordinarily capable. She mastered the art of the deal always with wisdom and respect. Her friend Leigh Roberts said “people just trusted her judgement and had confidence in her”, no one questioned “the Bev”. We loved her and will never see her likes again. Many real estate leaders looked to her for advice and direction. No matter the economics of the market she remained a top producer for 25 years. She had a passion for the industry and respected all that she met. Beverly was asked to serve on the Board of Southern Polytechnical State University in Marietta. She worked her magic on the Borad and became the first woman to be elected Chairman for 2 consecutive years, Cobb County Chambers Board member, Bank Boards, Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors. She took them all in stride and never cut corners at the office or in her personal life. She had a tremendous capacity. Beverly graduated with honors from Avondale High School in Decatur, Georgia. A member of the Honor Society and Beta Club throughout school. An Emory University Alumnus on full academic scholarship. An accomplished pianist and spoke 2 foreign languages. She was a little girl that conquered polio to become a competitive long distance runner. A young woman with dreams of both family and career. She was a “WINNER” in every sense of the word. For 25 years the Louisville, KY., native achieved every honor within her profession. She was a Phoenix Award recipient. She was a mentor to many graduates from Southern Poly, UGA and Georgia State. What a legacy she became. She was a perfectionist with great class. Beverly passed away February 18, of sarcoma cancer, at St. Joseph’s Hospital. A Memorial Service will be held at Mount Pisgah Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, Wednesday, February 23, at 11 a.m. She will be buried at Sawnee View Memorial Gardens in Cumming, Georgia, following the memorial service. Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming, Georia, is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include her husband, Jim; three sons, Jim, Tim, and Kerry; her sister Eileen; daughter-in-law Laura; four grandsons, Nick, Hunter, Max and Johnny, and other family members all within the Atlanta area.
