Wilda Oleta (Wallace) Hawkins was born on May 18, 1928, in Beaver County, Oklahoma to Floyd and Myrtle Wallace and passed away in Wichita, Kansas, on February 4, 2024. The family moved to Wellington, KS, in 1936 after surviving the Dust Bowl. Wilda graduated High School in Wellington, KS, class of 1946. After graduation, Wilda moved to Wichita, KS, and pursued her education at the Wichita Business School. After graduating, for the next three years, she worked as a secretary for Boeing Aircraft Company and then as a secretary for the City of Wichita. Wilda married Hal Wilbanks Hawkins, of Wichita, KS, on September 4, 1949. She worked hard to put Hal through Seminary and upon completion, they began their career together as minister and wife. In 1960 they began their Navy career and embarked on their worldwide travels. In 1967 they returned to civilian life and moved to Neodesha, KS, serving the First Baptist Church. In 1969 they moved to Wichita, KS, and served the Old Manor Baptist Church during which time Wilda also worked as a secretary and bookkeeper/payroll at Quiring Mortuary. Wilda always served God and family first and joyfully supported her husband in his ministries as a Proverbs 31 woman. Wilda loved to play the piano and organ. She often played for church services. She also gave accordion lessons. Her favorite bible verse was John 3:16. Wilda is survived by her daughters, Darlene (Juan) Jaime and Deborah Neal; nephew, Troy (Jenny) Wallace; grandsons, Joseph (Cynthia) Kinnis, and Jeffery (Miranda) Jones; granddaughter, Sarah (Vince) Kennebeck and great-granddaughter, Baile Kennebeck. Also, she is survived in marriage by a grandson, Caleb Neal; great-grandchildren, Isacc & Cindy Aquirre and Aubrey & Dylan Kennebeck; niece, Suzanne Powell; nephew, Mark Powell and sister-in-law, Nancy Hawkins.
Wilda is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hal Hawkins; brother, Laverne (Peggy) Wallace also preceded through marriage by brother-in-law, Alan R. Hawkins; brother and sister-in-law, Jess (Bettie) Powell and nephew, Jess “Tyke” Powell.
