Ruby Nadine Hawkins

Ruby Nadine Hawkins, 78, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 20, 2013, at her home in Fort Smith. She was born on Dec. 12, 1934, in Flint, Mich., as Ruby Nadine Melton. Nadine was a member of West-Ark Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Haskell Hawkins in September, 2009, and her daughter, Vicki Lynn Varvel in December, 2009. Nadine and her husband, John, were long-term partners in both life and in business. At the time they retired, Nadine and John had run several successful businesses in the poultry industry. Nadine and John's life journey took them to various locales where they made many friends. They lived in Flint, Mich.; Waldron, Ark., where John was raised; Rogers, Ark.; Indiana for a short time; Springdale, Ark., where they raised their family; and most recently, Fort Smith. The move to Fort Smith was to be closer to John's brother, Clyde Hawkins and his wife, Bernadene. She is survived by her son, Gregory D. Hawkins and wife, Sharon of New Rochelle, N.Y.; her daughter, Robbin April Murphy and her husband, Patrick, of Fort Smith; her son-in-law, Tracy Varvel of Hearne, Texas; and her grandchildren, Trent Alan Varvel and wife, Amanda, Kyle Reid Varvel and his wife, Liz, Adam Hawkins Varvel, Carsey Leigh Hawkins, Campbell Sarah Hawkins and McCall Helen Hawkins; and her great-grandchildren, Tristian Varvel, Thatcher Varvel and Emory Varvel. The family will have visitation at Edwards Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 24. Funeral services will be in the Chapel of Edwards Funeral home on at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 25, with burial to follow in Oak Cemetery. In lieu of customary remembrances, memorials may be sent to dementia research. To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.