Imelda Murray Hawkins

Mrs. Imelda Murray Hawkins

Augusta, GA – Mrs. Imelda Murray Hawkins, 101, entered into rest on Monday, August 1, 2011 at University Hospital

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Rev. Scott Winchel as celebrant. Interment to follow in Westover Memorial Park.

Imelda Murray Hawkins was born August 21, 1909 in Augusta, Georgia to Julian V. Murray and Birdie May Weber Murray. She was educated at Mount St. Joseph Academy and was a graduate of business school. In 1933, she married William Blakely Hawkins. She held many jobs during her lifetime. She was a secretary for Life and Casualty Ins. Agency at the time of her marriage. During WWII, she worked for the OPA. She taught kindergarten on Redstone Arsenal, AL and third grade at St. Mary’s School in Huntsville, AL during the 1950’s. She loved doing volunteer work. She worked at many thrift stores at the various Army posts to which her husband was assigned. She was a member of the Armed Forces Hostess Assn. at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and did secretarial support to that organization from 1961-63. She volunteered as a “Gray Lady” at military hospitals in Japan (1952-54). Upon her husband’s retirement from the U.S. Army in 1963, she returned to Augusta, GA. At this time, she volunteered at the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary and served on admissions and also ran the St. Joseph gift shop for many years on Sundays. She and her husband received lifetime volunteer awards for their work at St. Joseph Hospital for many years of service.

Imelda was an avid gardener. She learned ikebana in Japan. She had a “green thumb” and could grow anything! She loved music and dancing. She loved to travel. She and Blake took many cruises after he retired. She loved the beach, especially Daytona Beach and Myrtle Beach. One of her greatest delights was taking her granddaughters to the beach. She participated with great delight in activities in which her grandchildren were involved.

She was predeceased by her parents, granddaughter, Debbie Bell Pope, and her beloved husband. She and Blake were married for 61 years at the time of his death in 1994. She is survived by her 3 children: William Blakely Hawkins (Mildred), Imelda Hawkins Bell, and Carmen Cook Pride (Patrick); 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Imelda was a devout Catholic. She was a charter member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church. She had been baptized and made her first communion at Sacred Heart Church in Augusta, GA. She also volunteered for her faith, and served on the Ladies Altar Guild in many of the Army chapels at posts to which her husband was assigned.

The family would like to thank the staff at NHC North Augusta especially Dr. David Parler, Liz Wylds, Linda Webb, Tamera Kingery, Sherike Stone, Laura Devine, and Deidra Dorten.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, August 3, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A rosary will be recited and a vigil for the deceased will be held at 7:00 PM.