Cora May Hawkins was born on September 5, 1937, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to John Ford and Nelle Nickel. The youngest of four daughters, Cora loved and looked up to her sisters, Judy, Nelle and Mary. As a family, they had many adventures at Big Sugar Creek in Missouri, a tradition that continued with her children and grandchildren.

She married Phillip Hawkins in 1965 and was married to him until his death in 2006. They lived in a variety of places, including Oklahoma, Connecticut, and Texas before moving to Arkansas in 1986. Cora's life centered around family, friends, and faith. She was a devoted mother to her three children, Valerye (Bethesda, MD), Allyson (Normal, IL), and Phillip (Rogers, AR); a loving grandmother to Joseph, Sarah, Lauren, Alexander and Jesse; and an adoring aunt to over 20 nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sister, Judy Jordan, of Norman, Oklahoma.

Cora enjoyed life's simple pleasures – no bird or flower went unnoticed and unremarked. She also enjoyed reading, watching classic movies, birdwatching, and spending time with family and friends. She was an excellent home cook, who enjoyed preparing meals for her family. In her later years, she and her sister Judy travelled together to Ireland, Norway, England and Italy.

Above all, her family and friends will remember her for extraordinary empathy and kindness. She could strike up a conversation with practically anyone. Many of her friendships lasted for decades.

Cora will be buried at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas, next to her husband, Phil.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 11:00a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista, 1880 Forest Hills Blvd., Bella Vista, Arkansas 72715 and visitation will be at 10:00a.m until service time at 11:00 a.m.

For those wishing to make a donation in her memory, the family has designated the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation ( https://pmsf.org/ ). Her grandsons, Jesse and Alex, have been diagnosed with this rare syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes a range of medical, intellectual and behavioral challenges.

Arrangements are by Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com .