Mary Elizabeth Hawkins, age 98, of Strafford, MO, was called home to her Heavenly rest and into the arms of Jesus on June 5th, 2017.
Mary was born on April 29th, in Milford, KS to Loyd Joseph and Margaret Elizabeth Kostelecky. She was married to Berlyn C. Hawkins on February 28th, 1942. The couple settled in Strafford in the late 1940’s where they made their home of almost 80 years.

Mary was a long-time member of Bass Chapel Baptist Church in Strafford, MO, where she loved to teach Sunday school, attend worship services, and praise her Lord and Savior. She retired from R.T. French’s at the age of 70 and spent many volunteer hours serving at the Grand Oaks Baptist Mission and the Kitchen in Springfield.
Mary was not only a dedicated born again Christian and loving wife and mother, she was a hard worker who loved cooking and gardening. She will be remembered for the best coconut cream pie west of the Mississippi and for her beautiful rose gardens.
Mary was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Buck, her two sons, J.R. Hawkins and wife Beverly of Reeds Spring, MO and Chuck Jetton and his surviving wife, Arlene of Yakima, WA. She was also predeceased by her brothers Tangle and Charlie, sisters Eva, Wanda, and Gloria, and grandson Tom Jetton. Also surviving are her beloved sisters Delores Murrell of Strafford, MO and Hazel Gurkowski of Tulsa, OK.
Mary was the proud grandmother and is survived by Tammy Lynn Hawkins of Reeds Spring, Steve Sanderson and wife Christie of Reeds Spring, Tracy Lea Hawkins Barnas and husband Pete of Springfield, Gary Sanderson and wife Tracie of Springfield, Tiffany Joy Hawkins of Branson, Debbie Sanderson of Rogersville, Charles Raymond Jetton of Yakima, WA, Deborah Vance Fischer of Spokane, WA, and Nancy Alan Weaver of Selah, WA. She adored her 26 great grandchildren, her 10 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a lifetime accumulation of friends and extended family.

Mary will be remembered for her big hugs, feisty demeanor, witnessing to others about her faith and her love of life. She was loved deeply and sincerely, and while she will be missed on this earth, her rewards in Heaven will be great and she very much looked forward to walking the streets of gold.

Family and friends will gather at the Bass Chapel Baptist Church, 8417 North State Highway 125, Strafford, MO 65757 on Wednesday, June 7th, for Visitation from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. immediately followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the Bass Chapel Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Preferred Hospice or Lakewood Assisted Living.