Mildred Elizabe Nilson Hawkins

Mildred Elizabeth Nilson Hawkins of Corpus Christi, Texas passed from this life on October 11, 2002 at the age of 83. She was born on April 19, 1919 in Turner, Montana to Henrietta and Nils Nilson. Shortly after her birth (and a very cold winter) the Nilsons returned to El Campo, Texas. Mildred was the daughter of naturalized Swedish immigrants and the third of four children. Her parents have preceded her in death, as have her husband M.L. Hawkins, her brothers, Nils Elmer and George Albin and sister, Evelyn Nilson Behrent. Though her parents were natives of Sweden, they embraced America and insisted that their children speak English. As Mildred matured, she was able to help her parents learn and speak proper English as well. Mildred graduated from El Campo High School in 1935 and attended college at Sam Houston State Teachers College, earning a BA in Education. She later earned a Master of Science in Education at Texas A&I. Mildred began her teaching career in Ganado, Texas then moved to Corpus Christi where she taught for 38 years. She is survived by seven nieces and nephews and their spouses and children: Rebecca and Merrill Swanson and John and Pat Nilson of El Campo, Patricia Westbrook of Henrietta, Texas, Tom and Joyce Nilson of Victoria, Texas, Linda and Lane Lively of Irving, Texas, Curtis Behrent of Paris, France and Cathy Behrent of Baltimore, Maryland. Also surviving are 18 great nieces and nephews, their spouses and children. Further, Mildred is survived by a vast assortment of now adult former students to whom she gave a solid education foundation and an early taste of life. She also had other close relationships with her friends and care-givers who loved her. Rosemary Reyna and Rosie Cantu of Corpus Christi are two people that were especially important to her. Mildred's unmistakable presence, generosity, fighting spirit and fun nature will be missed. For her family her death marks the end of an era. Graveside services will be held at the Garden of Memories cemetery in El Campo, Texas at 10:00 A.M. Monday, October 14, 2002 with Reverend Gould officiating. In lieu of flowers, Mildred's wish was for donations to be made to the El Campo Hospice.