July 24, 1954 - July 6, 1993

There are not words to describe my mother.  She was a very thoughtful, passionate, and kind woman!  Whoever she met in her walk of life, she touched their lives somehow!  Whether it was a kind word or even just her beautiful smile.  She was and always will be my best friend!

Loretta Jean Hawkins, the daughter of Merle and Alta Schweighauser, was born on July 24, 1954 at Summersville, Missouri and passed away at the St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles, Missouri on Tuesday July 6, 1993 making her age 38 years, 11 months, and 12 days.

She was united in marriage to Gary Lynn Hawkins on January 9, 1971 making their union together 22 years.  To this union their one daughter was born, Jodie Lynn (Hawkins) Wilbanks.

Loretta was a member of the Praise Assembly Church in Summersville, Missouri.  She worked as a clerk in the Salvation Army Thrift Store in St. Charles, Missouri.

Preceding in death are one sister, Linda Sue Schweighauser.

Surviving are her husband, Gary Hawkins of St. Charles, Missouri, her daughter, Jodie Lynn Wilbanks, her son-in-law, Michael Wilbanks, and her 2 granddaughters, Lacy Jo & Mikela Jean Wilbanks, of Summersville, Missouri.  Her parents, Merle and Alta Schweighauser, of Summersville, Missouri. Mother-in-law, Bonnie Ament, of Summersville, Missouri, and father-in-law, Claude Hawkins of Hartshorn, Missouri and 5 brother-in-laws and 5 sister-in-laws and 16 nieces and nephews who thought the world of their "Aunt Red" as she was affectionately called by many who were close to her.

She will always be remembered as a loving and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter.  Her family and many friends believe that she was a special rose-bud which God chose to hand pick for His bouquet in Heaven.  Our loss is Heaven's gain!

Services were held on Thursday July 8, 1993 at the Bradford Funeral Chapel in Summersville, Missouri with Rev. Dolman Roderman officiating.  Interment in Antioch Cemetery in Hartshorn, Missouri.  Services were under the direction of Bradford Funeral Home in Summersville, Mo.

Tears In Heaven