Betty May Hawkins Obituary
Betty May Hawkins, 82, of Topeka, KS passed away April 12, 2012. Betty was born in Kansas City, MO to William Jewell and Doris (Jones) Gwin on May 18, 1929. Betty grew up in Kansas City, graduating from Southeast High School in 1947. As a young woman, she was employed by Emery Bird Thayer and by National Bellas Hess. Betty married John H. Hawkins on February 14, 1948. In 1955, Betty and John moved to Topeka in association with John’s career as an engineer for Southwestern Bell. Betty was a talented homemaker, excelling as a cook, seamstress and gardener. Betty served as a loving caregiver to her young grandchildren and to her aged mother. Betty expressed her creativity through painting and ceramics. In retirement, Betty and John were avid antique collectors, specializing in glassware, vintage clothing and linens. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Robert Gwin. Survivors include her husband of sixty-four years; her son Gary Hawkins and wife Betsy; her daughter Janice Docman and husband Nicholas; her grandchildren Erin and Andrew McKinley; her sister June Johnson; her sister-in-law Wanna Westfall, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She also found great comfort and support among her fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses. A memorial service for Betty will be held at 2PM on Saturday, April 21 at the Kenwood Congregation Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4230 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS.