Phyllis Hawkins

           Phyllis Marie Hawkins, daughter of Donald Lewis & Dorothy Evelyn (Channin) Collins, was born at home in Lucas County, Iowa on August 2, 1932. Phyllis grew up on farms around Russell, Iowa attending country schools and graduating from Russel High School in 1950.

            Phyllis trusted Jesus Christ as her personal savior as a teen and was a faithful wife, mother, and servant of her Lord. Throughout her life she seldom missed a morning beginning her day reading the Scriptures and praying. Phyllis attended the Omaha Baptist Bible Institute and graduated in 1954. She also took several correspondence courses from Moody Bible Institute.

            Phyllis married Charles Hawkins on February 12, 1954 at the First Baptist Church of Russell, Iowa and they were blessed with nearly 64 years together.

            Phyllis served alongside of Charles ministering as pastor and wife in Monroe, Iowa, Washington, Iowa, Algona, Iowa, camp ministry in Indiana, returning to Church ministry in Webster City, Iowa and finally Mount Ayr, Iowa. She often served as the church secretary and pianist and was actively involved in music ministry, teaching, AWANA Clubs, VBS, and the numerous unseen ministries of a pastor’s wife as well as serving in various capacities for many years at weeks of camp at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp. Phyllis also worked at Clearview Home in the kitchen for a few years. After the couple retired from full time local church ministry they remained faithful in their local church and Phyllis became active in the American Legion Auxiliary Post #172 and Mount Ayr Lions Club serving as their secretary for eight years.

            Phyllis and Charles became residents of Clearview Home in Mount Ayr in early 2016 where Charles passed away on February 9, 2018. It is with deepest gratitude that the family recognizes the dedicated and compassionate care that both Phyllis and Charles received while residing there. We are especially grateful for the loving care that mom continued to receive during this time of Covid and during her final weeks as the staff took on the role of family when we could not be there. We will forever be grateful for your many kindness.

            Phyllis went to be with her Lord & Savior on October 23, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Charles on February 9, 2018; brother Kenneth Collins; and son-in-law Bob DeBoom.

            Those left to cherish his memory include her 3 children Barbara (Phil) Hamburger of Gettysburg, SD, Cecilia (Jerry) Kempf of Crawfordsville, IN and Gordon (Stephanie) Hawkins of Fairfield, IA; 7 grandchildren Curtis (Rachel) Hamburger, Melody (Grant) Lunning, Rachael (Josh) Worthington, Courtney Kempf, Charles (Keeley) Hamburger, Joshua Hawkins, and Connor Hawkins; 11 great grandchildren; sister Donna (Jim) Byers of Ankeny, IA; aunt Hazel Clanin; nephew Jason (Tricia) Byers of Des Moines, numerous cousins, other relatives and friends.

Memorials are to the Regular Baptist Church, Clearview Home, and the Lions Club, all in Mount Ayr.