Leta Nan Anderson-Hawkins

Leta Nan Anderson-Hawkins, 65, entered the presence of our Lord and Savior on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, from her home, Stillwater.Services will be at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday at Hillcrest Baptist Church, with Rev. Curt Bellinger and Rev. Brandon Garrett officiating. Interment will be in Fairlawn CemeteryLeta was born Jan. 6, 1943, to Zetha Lee and Cleo Roach Anderson at Rusk, Texas. She graduated high school in May 1961 from Forney, Texas. She pursued undergraduate studies at North Texas State University, Denton, Texas, Arlington State College, Arlington, Texas, and graduated from Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education July 23, 1971.Leta married Leroy Hawkins on Feb. 15, 1969, at Mesquite, Texas.Pastors Leta and Leroy founded Hosanna Assembly of God church in November 1985 where they remain pastors.Leta wore many hats as pastor of Hosanna. She was a gifted musician, church pianist, praise and worship leader, Sunday school teacher, church secretary, as well as numerous other duties.She taught elementary school for 25 years, beginning in Guymon Public School System from fall 1971 to spring 1975, Red Rock Public School System 1975-1976 and retired from the Glencoe Public School System in 1996 after 20 years of service to school and community.She was a born teacher who deeply loved her students and was devoted to seeing them succeed in their studies and life, while proudly following their achievements long after graduation.Although she had no biological children, she was “mom” and mentor to all children, young adults and International students from many nations. She always fulfilled her role as “mother” of the church with loving grace and dignity.She was preceded in death by her parents.She is survived by her husband Leroy, of 39 years, 10 months. One sister, Cathy Selby, Canton, Texas; three brothers, Leland and his wife Judy Anderson, Mesquite, Texas; Gary and his wife Donna Anderson, McKinney, Texas; Lannie and his wife Susan Anderson, Tampa.Pall bearers will be Ratan Kishore Putla, Clement Abai, Kamal Kumar Singarapu, Jayaprakash Samyvelu, Seth Mathis and Daniel Asamoah. Honorary pallbearers are Roy Willcox, Ferrel Johnson, Ian Sequeira, Barney Scarborough, Bill Wilson, Chuck Lowery and Rev. John Dickey.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leta’s memory to Judith Karman Hospice or Hosanna Assembly of God Church, P.O Box 2493, Stillwater, OK 74076.Strode Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.