Obituary of Donna Kay Hawkins

Donna Kay (Gratzer) Hawkins passed away at IU Health Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis Saturday, August 2, 2014 after a 3 year battle with lymphoma. She was 69 years old. The daughter of George Gratzer and Juanita (Owens) Sykes, Donna grew up in the Needmore area with her brother Charles Gratzer and her sister Betty (Gratzer) Arnold and graduated from Needmore High School in 1962. Her mother married Glenn Sykes in 1957 and he would become a cherished and beloved member of their family. A younger brother, Tony Sykes, followed and their family was made complete. Donna attended Oakland City University. Later she transferred to Indiana University where she graduated in 1966 with a BS in Elementary Education following with her MS in Education just two years later. Donna married David W. Hawkins on October 17, 1970 and he preceded her in death on June 11, 1993. Donna taught for a total of 45 years at Franklin, Southport, Hopewell and Needmore (39 of those years). Donna was kind, sweet, generous loved without judgment and forgave as a reflex. A life-long Christian, she had been a member at Avoca Baptist church for around 40 years and loved the members of her Sunday school class deeply. Donna also loved to travel with her son Brian and his wife Lacy (White) Hawkins. In the past 8 years she visited Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, Italy, Turkey and Greece Donna also was a co-owner of Inklings Bookstore in downtown Bedford, a long-time member of the Indiana State Teachers Association, the Indiana and Lawrence County Retired Teachers Associations and Altrusa. She attended the Needmore Alumni banquets almost every year and was awarded the Ray W. Fry Outstanding Alumni Award in 2012. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Dave, son Brett Lee Hawkins, father George Gratzer, step-father Glenn Sykes, sister, Betty (Gratzer) Arnold, grandparents, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She is survived by her mother, Juanita Sykes; her sons Brian (Lacy) Hawkins and Michael Hawkins; brothers Charles (Elizabeth) Gratzer, Tony (Kimberly) Sykes, Steve (Janice) Gratzer, Don (Tanya) Gratzer; sisters-in-law Cecelia (A.G.) Rankin, Louella (Steve) Hendricks; grandchildren Patrick Wellman, Paul Wellman, David Hawkins, Lela Hawkins; aunt Marilyn Amerson; uncle Terry (Edith) Owens; nieces Cindy Brooking, Michelle (Mark) Neuman, Kristen (Mark) Haas, Melody (Scott) Courtney, Brianna Sykes, Victoria Sykes; nephews Barry Brooking, Robert (Peggy) Mitchell, Bill (Sandy) Rankin, Mike (April) Hendricks, Chris Hendricks, Tyler Sykes; as well as many cousins, great-nieces and nephews. Funeral Information Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 6th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Visitation will be from 3-8pm on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 and from 9am until the time of the service on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Nick Mullis and Dave Adams will officiate while friends and family will offer stories and remembrances, laughter and tears in honoring the life of this extraordinary lady. Gravesite rites will be conducted immediately after the service at Green Hill Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to the only great love of her life, Dave. Donations Information In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests honoring Donna with contributions to Between the Crowd and/or the White River Humane Society.