Hawkins, Doris Otteson
Doris Julianna Otteson Hawkins, 97, passed away on January 15, 2024. She was born August 19, 1926, in New York City to the late Gerald John and Edith Yundt Otteson. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Gerald Robert Otteson, and her husband of nearly 68 years, Jack Emmett Hawkins.
Doris attended George Washington University where she was a member of Alpha Delta PI Sorority. She moved to New Orleans, LA. when she married Jack. She eventually became a real estate agent and broker and was a member of the Million Dollar Club for 25 years. She also taught Sunday School at New Orleans Bible Church for many years. In 1979, an avid history buff, she joined the New Orleans Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Doris was also interested in politics and often worked at the New Orleans voting polls.
When she moved to Blacksburg, VA, she joined the Virginia Alleghany Chapter of D.A.R. She served in various positions for 25 years, among them Regent and Chaplain, and the DAR Regents Club of Virginia. She was a member of Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead, VA. where she worked in the nursery. She was later an associate member of Harvest Baptist Church in Blacksburg, VA.
Doris was an avid bridge player, taking every opportunity to play with friends. She was a whiz at it, as many players can attest, perhaps because she started playing at 8 years old. She also was an excellent seamstress, making dresses, quilts, costumes, and dolls for her four daughters, and had an incredible gift for cooking, especially New Orleans-style dishes.
Doris was also a wonderful playmate for all of her children and grandchildren. She would join them in sledding, tubing, skating, hiking, baseball, badminton, jacks, and every card game possible.
She leaves her daughters: Ellen (Terry) Schenck, Marilyn (Jon) Eisenback, Jean (Jim) Ebel, and Jan Hawkins. Also seven grandchildren, Brian (Ashley) Eisenback, Justin (Molly) Eisenback, Jordan (Katherine) Eisenback, Rachel (Shawn) Dunham, Ruth, Andrew (Caroline), and Abby Ebel. Her seven great-grandchildren are Maddie, Emma, Sloan, Hawthorne, and Olivia Eisenback; and Ledger and Meyer Dunham.
A special thanks to the Good Samaritan Hospice nurses and attendants Theresa Bailey, Connie Kidd, and Lottie Simmons, who provided wonderful care for Doris. We couldn’t have done it without them.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Riverview Baptist Church, Harvest Baptist Church, or the Gideons International Bible fund.
Arrangements are by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, VA. Visitation is Saturday, January the 20th from 10 am to 11 am, and a service follows at 11 am.
