Ruby Nadine Hawkins

Ruby Nadine Hawkins, 78, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at her home in Fort Smith. She was born on December 12, 1934 in Flint, Michigan as Ruby Nadine Melton. Nadine was a member of West-Ark Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband John Haskell Hawkins in September 2009 and her daughter, Vicki Lynn Varvel in December, 2009. Nadine and her husband, John, were long-term partners in both life and in business. At the time they retired, Nadine and John had run several successful businesses in the poultry industry. Nadine and John’s life journey took them to various locales where they made many friends. They lived in Flint, MI; Waldron, AR where John was raised; Rogers, AR; Indiana for a short time; Springdale, AR where they raised their family; and most recently, Fort Smith. The move to Fort Smith was to be closer to John’s brother, Clyde Hawkins and his wife, Bernadene. She is survived by her son, Gregory D. Hawkins and wife Sharon of New Rochelle, New York; her daughter Robbin April Murphy and her husband Patrick of Fort Smith, her son-in-law, Tracy Varvel of Hearne, Texas, and her grandchildren, Trent Alan Varvel and wife Amanda, Kyle Reid Varvel and his wife, Liz, Adam Hawkins Varvel, Carsey Leigh Hawkins, Campbell Sarah Hawkins, McCall Helen Hawkins; and her great grandchildren, Tristian Varvel, Thatcher Varvel, and Emory Varvel. The family will have visitation at Edwards Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 24, from 5 – 7pm. Funeral services will be in the Chapel of Edwards Funeral home on Thursday, July 25, at 10:00 am, with burial to follow in Oak Cemetery. In Lieu of customary remembrances, memorials may be sent to Dementia Research. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com