Arlene Hawkins

Arlene Hope Wright McClanan Hawkins

Arlene Hope Wright McClanan Hawkins, 89, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010, at The Summit Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born Sept. 8, 1921, in Madison Heights, she was the daughter of the late W. Lawson Wright and Ida P. Banton Wright.

Mrs. Hawkins was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth R. Wright and her first husband, Commander Forest H. McClanan, who lost his life in a helicopter accident while serving his country in the US Navy.

She is survived by her husband, W. Thomas Hawkins, of Forest and a daughter, Kay Whitney McClanan Foster, of West Palm Beach, Fla.

She attended Longwood College, taught at Phelps Road Elementary School for a number of years and served at Madison Heights Branch of the Amherst County Public Library for several years.

Music was a big part of Arlene's life. She started piano lesions at a young age and enjoyed playing piano all of her life. She also played the church organ on several occasions. She sang in school choruses and church choirs. She supported the arts, took painting lessons and created a number of paintings. She enjoyed traveling.

Mrs. Hawkins enjoyed playing golf and gardening and was a super homemaker. She was a good seamstress and made many of her clothes and clothes for her daughter. She was an avid reader and student of truth.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010, in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service by the Rev. Catharine Montgomery, rector of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church officiating with burial in Fort Hill Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends an hour before the service at Heritage Funeral Service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meal on Wheels, PO Box 1388, Lynchburg, VA 24505 or Daily Bread, 712 Clay Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory, (434) 239-2405 is assisting the family, www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com