QUILLMAN, HAZEL  
Sesser 
Memorial services for Hazel May Quillman, lifetime Sesser resident, will be held at 11 a.m. 
Tuesday at the First Methodist Church of Sesser. Visitation will be after 6 this evening at 
the Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home, Sesser, and from 9 a.m. Tuesday until time of service at 
the church. She died Friday, Oct. 22, in Dallas, Texas, where she had recently relocated to be 
near her daughter, Cathy Basso. She died from complications related to her lifetime struggle 
with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She was 74. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, 
Ellsworth (Ted) Quillman, who died Oct. 2, 1996. Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Quillman were pillars of 
the Sesser community. They owned and operated the Brayfield Funeral Home for 40 years. Born 
Hazel May Allen, on March 24, 1925, she was the only child of Sam and Leona Allen (Allen and 
Loucks grocery store on Main Street). After attending the University of Illinois, she returned 
to Sesser and married Ellsworth Quillman. They raised their two daughters, (Patricia Ann and 
Cathy Sue) in Sesser and were active supporters of local schools, churches, and community 
organizations. Having been stricken with Rheumatoid Arthritis as a young woman, she dedicated 
much of her energy to the National Arthritis Foundation. Her ivolvement included, fund raising, 
participating in medical research, and public appearances. She was also instrumental in the 
publication of an Arthritis Foundation Cookbook, which received national distribution. Following 
the death of her husband, she relocated to Dallas and became an active member of the Signature 
Point Retirement Commuity. Her interminable spirit, positive outlook, unfailing faith and quiet 
strength were an inspiration to all whom she touched. Mrs. Quillman is survived by two daughters, 
Patricia Thomas, who with husband Vernor lives in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. and Cathy Basso, who 
with husband Danny, lives in Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren, Brent Thomas of Carona, Calif., 
Janis Thomas of Orange, Calif., Andrea Basso Denheyer who, with husband Ron, lives in Irving, 
Texas and Frankie Basso who, with wife Heather, lives in Dallas. She was also recently blessed 
with two great-grandchildren, Madeleine Basso, and Jonathan Denheyer.