Robin Lee Reaves Hawkins

1948 - 2023

Robin Lee Reaves Hawkins

Robin Lee Reaves Hawkins, age 74, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away at home on the morning of Monday, April 3, 2023. Springtime was her favorite season and the dogwoods were in full bloom outside the bedroom window of her Maple Ridge home of 45 years.

Anyone who knew Robin would tell you she lit up every room, engaging family and friends with her quick wit and formidable intellect. Robin was elegant, charming, beautiful and kind. Her laugh was infectious and she had an incredible sense of humor. Friends will remember her gorgeous smile and signature red lipstick.

Robin was born in Warren, Arkansas, on April 4, 1948, to Glenda and Lee Reaves and was preceded in death by her parents. Robin attended grade school in Warren and Monticello, Arkansas where her father served as Vice President of Arkansas A&M. The family moved to Little Rock where Robin attended Hall High School. Robin was an honor roll student and chosen by the faculty to attend Girls State. The family subsequently moved to Conway, Arkansas, to support Lee's establishment of the Arkansas Educational Television Network (later Arkansas PBS). Robin attended her freshman year in Conway at Hendrix College where she was an honors student. She was the first female to be awarded Freshman of the Year. Robin transferred to the University of Arkansas at semester break of her sophomore year where she pledged Chi Omega and immediately met the love of her life and husband of 52 years, Jim Hawkins of Fort Smith, Arkansas. While in college, Robin was picked by Mack McLarty to serve as Secretary of the Student Body. Robin also represented Chi Omega on their academic College Bowl team. She earned a history degree in May of 1970, again with honors.

Jim and Robin were married on June 20, 1970, and moved to Independence, Kansas, to begin a career in the oil and gas business. Seven years later, the couple moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma with their first-born Nan Elizabeth (1973), to be followed by Lindsey Pittman in 1977, and James Hunt in 1981. All three children were lifers at Holland Hall and continue to be active in the Holland Hall community. Being a wife and mother was her life's greatest joy. Robin was an avid gardener and enjoyed knitting, bridge, reading, and was a master in arts and crafts. She had a talent for decorating for every season, holiday and event. Robin completed the New York Times crossword puzzle in ink (bold move!) and solved Sudoku with ease. She was an incredible cook and could whip up a delicious meal any time of day without a recipe, which turned the kitchen into the center of her home.

Robin was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Southern Hills Country Club and served on the Junior League of Tulsa. Robin is survived by her husband, Jim; her daughter, Nan Hawkins Winton, husband, Richard, grandchildren, Claire, Rupert and Beatrix, her daughter, Lindsey Hawkins Bristow, husband, Matthew, grandchildren Lyle, Eden and Isla; her son, James Hunt Hawkins, and grandchildren, Reaves, Heston and Lorraine; her sister, Anne Downs, husband, Robert and their sons, Will and Lee of Richardson, Texas.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Tulsa on Friday, April 14 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Emergency Infant Services in Tulsa. She was instrumental in establishing St. Luke's hospital in Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico for the underserved Maya people of the region. She lovingly referred to it as the Mayan's Mayo. To donate, please follow this link: www.medsanlucas.com.