VADA GERALDINE (LINK) HAWKINS, fifth of eleven children born to Adolph Ernest and Emily Hale (Louthan) Link, was born August 27, 1925 on the Link family farm southeast of Chester, Oklahoma in Major County.  She departed this life early Monday, September 5, 2011 at her oldest daughter's home in Midwest City, OK.  She was 86 years of age.

      Vada was raised in the Chester Community where she attended Lakeside School.  She was united in marriage to Ivan Albert "Pete" Hawkins, October 22, 1945 at Rolla, KS.  They made their home on the Abbott homestead south of Chester all their married lives where they raised their two daughters, Edna Mae and Ramona Jean.  Pete and Vada farmed and raised cattle.  Pete drove a school bus for Seiling Public Schools forty years and on many school trips, Vada would be in the front row of seats behind her husband and helping chaperone school students.  Vada and Pete were faithful members of the

Seiling Assembly of God Church where she played the piano for many years.  Later, they transferred their membership to Elm Grove where she was active in the Women's Missions organization.  She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed gardening and canning from her garden.  Mostly, Vada was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and friend to so many.  She was preceded in death by her husband Ivan, October 20, 2007. 

      In December 2008, Vada moved to Midwest City, OK to live with her daughter and son-in-law: Edna Mae and Jerry Whitney who survive her, as well as her youngest daughter and son-in-law, Ramona and Charlie Riley of Brenham, TX.  She is also survived by three grandsons: Charles Jr. and wife Cyndi, Sheldon and wife Sarah and Travis Riley; five great grandchildren: Kirsten, Jordan, Jenna, Jayce and Emily Riley; four step grandchildren: Jerry Whitney Jr. and wife Dena, Jamie Whitman and husband Kevin Jason Whitney and wife Maria and Justin Whitney and wife Joni; ten step great grandchildren: Derrik, Cody, Lacy, Steffan, Tori, Jerred, Jate and Jocelyn Whitney and Tristan and Jadyn Whitman; four sisters: Alta Howeth and Marie Elliott both of Seiling, Lois Burchett of Manhattan, KS and Belva Taylor and husband Garland of Cache, one brother, Willard Link and wife Genevieve of Rolla, KS.  She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters: Roberta and Beulah and three brothers: Orville, Leslie and Maynard.

      The funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, 2011 at the Elm Grove Community Church with her grandson, Sheldon Riley and her pastor, Orville White, officiating.  Interment followed in the Brumfield Cemetery.