Thelma F. Hawkins

Thelma F. Hawkins, 93, of Oceola went home to be with the Lord on December 1, 2020 surrounded by her family.



She was born in Cambridge, Ohio on February 10, 1927 to the late Truman and Lillie (Atchison) Freeman. After graduating from Cambridge High School in 1945, she attended Muskingum College to study education. She met Richard (Dick) E. Hawkins while attending college and they were married November 28, 1946. Dick served as a pastor in the states of Delaware, Maryland, and Ohio. Thelma continued her studies at the University of Delaware and taught elementary school there, before starting a family and working as a full-time mother and dedicated pastor’s wife, serving in several areas of church ministry.



The Hawkins moved to Crawford County in 1976 when Dick became the pastor of Woodlawn UMC in Bucyrus. She and Dick enjoyed traveling throughout the years. He preceded her in death in November 1989. Thelma enjoyed being active in her church and community. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and Rebecca Circle at Woodlawn UMC; directed the Cherub Choir; Conference Delegate at Lakeside for many years; volunteered at Heartland Nursing Home, Bucyrus Salvation Army, and American Red Cross Canteen; danced with the Clover Leaf Western Square Dance Club, and played many hands of Euchre. She was recognized for her volunteering by being inducted into the Crawford County Council on Aging’s Golden Years Hall of Fame in 2018, an honor she was surprised by and grateful to receive. Thelma was an avid reader, excellent cook and enjoyed watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Dancing with the Stars. She had a joyful outlook and beautiful spirit to everyone blessed to have a conversation with her. She often had a joke or story to share. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She loved spending time with family.



Thelma is survived by children, Rick Hawkins and Robin Hawkins; grandchildren, LCDR James (Jess) Hawkins, LT Faithann (Julia) Hawkins, Jon (Donna) Jackson, and Sarah (Ryan) Daum; great-grandchildren, Asher, Micah & Noah Hawkins, Tayden Jackson, and Reece & Raleigh Daum; brother, Vernon Freeman; and sister, Charlene Arthur.



In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by daughter-in-law, Betsy Hawkins; brother, Richard Freeman; and sister, Evelyn Johnson.



A memorial service celebrating her wonderful life will be held in the spring at Woodlawn United Methodist Church.



Memorial contributions can be made payable to Woodlawn UMC (for the Richard E. & Thelma F. Hawkins Scholarship Fund) or Bucyrus Salvation Army and given through Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. Memories and photos can be shared on her Tribute Wall.