1923
2017
Imogene Olene Nickolas Hawkins was born to Austin Clem and Pearl Matthews Nickolas in Strawberry, Arkansas on March 13, 1923. Her parents owned the only store in town, Her sister Louise was 13 months her senior. They kept up with all the "goings on" in town since most people at that time socialized at the store.
Her daddy led singing at the local Church of Christ. Activities as a youth were church, singings around the county, and getting in to mischief with Louise. Her dad later sold the store and they moved to a farm outside of town. Imogene fell off the chicken house and broke her arm.
The school in Strawberry burned so she lived with her grandparents The Matthews, her mom's parents, in Imboden, Arkansas, to finish high school. It was in her senior year that she was cast as the leading lady in the play "Missing One Pair". The leading gentleman happened to be Raymond Otto Hawkins who later became her husband. It is told the children controlling the curtains left them open at length so Raymond could kiss Imogene longer!
Raymond Otto Hawkins and Imogene were married in Pensacola, Florida, April 10, 1943. He was in the Navy disease vector control, and left for the war. Raymond Anthony Hawkins arrived on this earth Jan 10, 1944. It was almost 3 years before Raymond Anthony met his dad.
The following years consisted of moving a lot. Raymond first went to Palmers in Davenport, Iowa, for his degree in chiropractic medicine. Cynthia was born October 6, 1947. They moved then to New Orleans, Louisiana, for his practice. Chiropractors were not highly thought of during these times and he reenlisted in the Navy. From there Imogene and her 2 children moved every 3 years. They lived in California, Washington state, Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina and Oklahoma. She was resilient to be left with 2 children and a husband gone for up to a year at a time.
Imogene was a seamstress extraordinaire. She made most of her children's and her clothes. She loved decorating and writing poetry, and she loved flowers and music, both vocal and instrumental.
She taught school until after the death of her husband in 1974. She took care of grandchildren Deborah and Jennifer as they grew up.
She moved to Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas to be close to her sister-in-law Lyla Hawkins. She had fond memories being with the Hawkins family during those years.
She moved back to Guthrie, Oklahoma in 2001 after her daughter married William Cunningham. She was active in church and loved the town.
In 2015 she moved in with her daughter Cynthia and husband Bill. She enjoyed the farm and the dirt foads that reminded her of home in Arkansas.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Raymond. Imogene is survived by her sister, Louise Ganus (Dr. Clifton Ganus), their children; Clifton Ganus, III (Debbie), Debbie Duke (Richard) and Charles Ganus (Patty); her son, Raymond Hawkins (Dale), daughter, Cynthia Cunningham (William L.), Grandchildren; Anthony Hawkins, Ralph Kelley Hawkins (Cathy), Brandon Hawkins, Jennifer Langevin (Paul) and Deborah Hutcherson.
Great grandchildren are Hannah, Sarah and Mary Hawkins, and Thomas and Andree Langevin.
Her niece Mary Ellen Hawkins and her children.
Her extended family: Annette Boyd (husband Bob, children Katie & Hillary), Rhonda Burchfield (husband Charles, children Will, Nick and Ben), Linda Goode (husband Aaron, children Logan, Lilli and Lane).
Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Chapel with interment to follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors.
4 Entries
February 28, 2017
Carolyn Norman
Imogene was a blessed woman. Her daughter, Cynthia, cared for her with amazing compassion for the last several years, meeting her every need and longing, including cruising the pasture in the sunshine. She was deeply loved by her family. Who could ask for more? RIP dear lady.
February 17, 2017
Lee Foster
Hello, I am acquainted with Imogene by invitation from her Granddaughter, Deborah Hutcherson, to visit this site. Deborah is a sweet, kind, loving, and amazing friend. I have been reminded of my childhood with my Grandma and Grandpa Grimes. They lived on an old dirt road too. Whatever kindness, love, and compassion I have today is a direct result of my relationship with my mother's parents. I am more like a Grimes than any of the family members from my Fathers side. Deborah has inherited her Grandmother's love for decorating and also loves flowers and music. Thank you, Imogene and Deborah, you allowed me to visit down memory lane. Those were memories of some of the happiest times of my young life. My condolences to all of her loved ones. It is obvious they were all loved by, and loved, Imogene. Thank you, Deborah. I know you will miss, and remember your Grandmother, dearly.
February 16, 2017
Eva Mahoney
Cynthia, Bill, and family...I'm so sad to hear of Imogene's passing. I loved the time I spent as her helper. As you know, I have so many funny stories. I love that she shared with me so many stories of her life. She loved the times she spent driving around with you on the golf cart, Sylvester, her son-in-law who was so handy. I know this is a hard time but please find comfort in knowing she knew she was loved. Sending healing positive energies.
February 15, 2017
Daniel Hutcherson
I appreciated the journey back in time with your photo album. Imogene and Raymond were quite a couple spread across many locations. I will never forget my visits to Searcy and Raven Den Arkansas. Thank you for reminding me.
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