Debra Hawkins Obituary
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She was born on March 14, 1951 in Wheeling, WV, daughter of the late Wilbur Dexter and Jean Olive Ruckman Hawkins.
In addition to her parents, Debra was preceded in death by sisters, Minnie Taylor and Dolores Carl; a brother, Charles "Bud" Hawkins; and a niece, Leslie Hawkins.
She was the proud aunt of 9 nieces and nephews, Kim (Joseph) Kochy, Tami (Jim) Tysk, David (Gail) Carl, Mike (Elisha) Carl, Doug (Sumner Riddick) Carl, Stephanie (Craig) Greene, Sheryl Hibbits, and Chuck (Kathy Macri) Hawkins; 17 great nieces and nephews; and 25 great great nieces and nephews.
Debbie graduated from Wheeling High School in 1969. After eight years of working in Washington DC for the federal government as a fingerprint technician and an apartment manager in Alexandria, Virginia, she returned to Wheeling, WV where she worked for NDC Management as a property manager of apartment complexes for the elderly and disabled in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Debbie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the former Zion Lutheran Church, in Bethlehem, WV. She was a devoted Sunday school teacher and youth leader for many years. Her love for crafting made her a popular attraction at the face painting table during the church's Annual Strawberry Festival.
Aunt Debbie enjoyed weekend outings with her nieces and nephews that often times included trips to the zoo or the movie theater, summer swimming, painting and pottery, glitter and glue, as well as lunch at The Hoagie Shack referred to as the "clown place" to her loved ones. A lifetime of memories were made during those adventures.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 16 Ridgecrest Rd., Wheeling, WV at a time to be announced. Interment will take place at Halcyon Hills Memorial Gardens immediately following the service.
Arrangements made by Kepner Funeral Homes, 166 Kruger Street, Wheeling, WV (304-242-2311).
Memorial gifts may be made to Grace Lutheran Church in support of its many ministries.
The family would like to thank the staff at Peterson Rehabilitation and Health Care Center for their care and devotion during the eight years Debbie lived there, as well as, the professional staff at Wheeling Hospital, WVU Medicine and Amedisys Home Health for the care and compassion she and her family received while she was a patient.
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