COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Nancy Elizabeth “Libby” Hawkins, 94, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Libby was a bright light whose love lit up the lives of her family, friends, and members of the wider community. Libby often expressed her love best through hospitality, specifically cooking and baking. She found joy in hosting gatherings and sharing her renowned rum cake, sugar cookies, pies, and cornbread dressing. Having guests leave her home with a full belly and happy heart was one of her many talents. In addition to talking with friends and family, Libby loved staying current with college basketball, soap operas, the Hallmark Channel, and the Game Show Network. Family reunions with the Hawkins and Reynolds clans were annual highlights she eagerly anticipated. Most of all, Libby relished her titles of Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Daughter, Sister, Sister-in-law, Cousin and Friend.
Libby was born on March 18, 1930, to Cloyd and Hazel Anderson Reynolds in Lincoln County, Kentucky. She grew up alongside nine siblings, a large family that was rich with laughs and love.
On August 16, 1947, Libby married the love of her life, Elmer Hawkins. The two were a complementary couple, who helped support the idea that “opposites attract.” Aside from never agreeing on the “right” thermostat setting in their house, they were simply better together! They celebrated 66 beautiful years of marriage before Elmer’s passing in 2013.
In 1952, Libby and Elmer moved to Columbus, Indiana, where Libby built a life full of love, faith, and family. Her career began at Meyer’s Country Kitchen in Elizabethtown, Indiana, and she later worked at Jay-C Food Stores, retiring in 1987 to the full-time title of Grandma. She formed lifelong friendships at each church she attended, including Shiloh Baptist Church, Central Heights Church of God, and most recently, Flintwood Wesleyan Church. For the past five years, Libby cherished her friendships and activities at All Saints Community where she resided.
Libby is survived by her children: Jim Hawkins (Marcy Trisler), Bob Hawkins, and Shelia Hawkins. She always considered herself the luckiest to have her children nearby in Columbus. This closeness was not only in proximity, but also in their tight-knit relationship.
She was a proud grandmother to Erin Hawkins (Chris Morlock) and Brooke Hawkins of Columbus, Indiana; Lindsay Hawkins (Andy Snyder) of St. Louis, Missouri; Kye Hawkins (Ryan Heffernan) of Indianapolis, Indiana; Cody (Katy) Galbraith of Greenview, California; and Kassidy (Jamieson) Ogle of Columbus, Indiana. Her great-grandsons, whom she lovingly referred to as her “basketball team,” include Max and Kip Heffernan, Coen and Truett Galbraith, and Escher Ogle. The family eagerly anticipates welcoming two more great-grandchildren in July.
Libby is also survived by her siblings Jim Reynolds of Somerset, Kentucky; Eugene (Bobbye) Reynolds of Bowling Green, Kentucky; and Glenda Estes of Danville, Kentucky; along with multiple nieces and nephews, and sisters-in-law Flonnie Hawkins and Mae Hawkins, both of Columbus, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, her parents, daughter-in-law Cheri Hawkins, and siblings Brad Reynolds, Audrey Blankenship, Sula Martin, Harold Reynolds, Evelyn Taylor, and Raymond Reynolds.
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, June 14, 2024 at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home, 3855 25th Street, Columbus. Calling for friends and family will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 p.m. with the service at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Wes Jones. Memorial contributions can be made to Flintwood Wesleyan Church, 5300 E. 25th Street, Columbus, IN 47203; Central Heights Church of God, 3151 Sharon Lane, Columbus, IN 47203; or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 17th Street, Columbus, IN 47201.
Libby Hawkins’ legacy of love, family, and faith will forever be cherished by those who were blessed to know her.
You are invited to share a memory of Libby with the family via the funeral home website: www.jewellrittman.com
