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1933 - 2015
Our beloved Mother, Sister and Aunt, Barbara May Hawkins Brown peacefully passed away on Monday, May 18, 2015. Barbara, the youngest of five children, was born on November 8, 1933 in Ducor California, to Ernest & Ina Hawkins. She was raised in Ducor and Terra Bella and graduated from Porterville High School in 1951.
Barbara was married to Roger Brown in 1953. They made their home in Fresno while Roger was attending college. In 1955 they returned to Porterville and started their family. They enjoyed dancing, traveling, the cabin at Camp Nelson, Veterans Day Celebrations, trips to the casinos in Nevada, and enjoying the company of friends and family.
Barbara and Roger were actively involved in the "51 Club", a group of close friends who graduated from PHS in 1951. From the first 10 year reunion, Barb was on the Reunion Planning Committee. She served on various committees and was the committee co-chair in 2006 & 2011. She was looking forward to the 65th in 2016.
Barbara was employed at Magnolia Citrus and then worked for Jostens as an inspector until her retirement. She was instrumental in supporting the Jostens Employee Reunions. It was through a co-worker at Jostens where she met her companion of 18 years, Bill Simpkins. She and Bill enjoyed trips in their RV throughout the United States. They spent many happy summers in Wyoming and winters in Lake Havasu.
Barbara is survived by daughters Marcia of Atlantic Beach, NC and Kerry of Visalia, Brother Harlan Hawkins of Florence, SC, her companion Bill Simpkins and many beloved nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Roger Brown, Sisters, Mary Howell and Pauline Durbin and Brother, Wyman Hawkins.
Visitation will be on Thursday, May 21, 2015 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Myers Funeral Chapel. Services will be held Friday, May 22, 2015 at 10:00 am at Hillcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Porterville Historical Museum, 257 No. D Street, Porterville, CA. 93257.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
barbarayouandrogerareaclassactilovedbothofyoubobbybrownclassof51brown0927atsbcglobaj.net
May 25, 2015
Condolences to the family, friends and Bill, I am sorry for your loss. Jostens held a lot of memories for many, me, too, that's where I met the Lady that would tell you how she felt. I enjoyed her, she taught me about Inspection of printed materials. I will miss our bumping into one another on our shopping days, was always good to see her and Bill. She will be missed, May God Bless you all... Terri Drake
May 22, 2015
Barbara and I were friends in high school and graduated together in 1951. I last saw her some time in the 1990's when she and a friend visited Australia, We had dinner at a restaurant near the beach in Manly, where I lived at the time, and she caught me up on all the gossip from Porterville. She hadn't changed; still the warm, outgoing funny lady she had been in high school. From many thousand miles away, she will be missed.
Phillip R (Ron) Cohen
May 21, 2015
I treasure the wonderful visit with Barbara last Christmas. She will be missed by many. My sincere sympathy. Sharon Castle Wolf (1951)
May 21, 2015
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Funeral services provided by:
Myers Funeral Service and Crematory248 North E Street, Porterville, CA 93257
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