Jan. 12, 1927 - April 21, 2010

ELKHART -- Margaret E. Hawkins, 83, of Elkhart, died at 12:46 a.m. Wednesday (April 21, 2010) at Eastlake Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 12, 1927, to James Richard Hatton and Alma Ellen Donahue in Bath County, Ky. She married Chas Bates Hawkins on Oct. 17, 1941, in Owingsville, Ky. He passed away in Elkhart in 1986.

She is survived by sons Charles R. "Charlie" (Patricia) Hawkins of Edwardsburg, Mich., and Rick (Alice) Hawkins of Bristol; daughter Judy (Ralph) White of Elkhart; brothers Russell Hatton of Owingsville, Ky., and Charles Hatton of London, Ky.; sisters Dorothy Daily and Mildred Ockerman, both of Sharpsburg, Ky.; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sandra K. Jacobs, and grandsons Timothy White and Ricky Hawkins Jr.

Mrs. Hawkins was a lifelong homemaker who enjoyed her afternoon soap opera. She prided herself on her neat household and home-cooked meals.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today (April 23, 2010) at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to Saturday's 11 a.m. funeral service at the funeral home. Elder Deed Pendell of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Elkhart will officiate. Burial will be at Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart.

Memorial contributions may go to the charity of the donor's choice.