Louise Moore Hawkins, 90

Louise Moore Hawkins was born June 21, 1916, to Enoch and Zora Moore, on her grandfather's farm in Celina, Texas. She died on Aug. 1, 2006, in Brendan House; having lived to see the birth of her first great-grandchild and to celebrate her 90th birthday.

She grew up in Megargel, Texas; graduating valedictorian of her senior class.

She married Oran L. Hawkins in Archer City, Texas, on Aug. 21, 1937. Work in the oil fields moved them around Texas and Oklahoma. Their only child, Don, was born in 1954.

The opportunity to work at Hungry Horse Dam brought them to Montana in 1958. They were residents of Hungry Horse until 1973 when they moved to Columbia Falls. Oran died in 1975. Louise remained in Columbia Falls until health concerns prompted her to move closer to her son in Missoula and eventually to Kalispell.

She was an extraordinary cook, an expert seamstress and discovered late in life, a talent for oil painting. She had a gentle spirit, a quick smile and will be missed by her family, her many friends and her Christian brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her son, Don, and his wife, Debbie, of Kalispell, three grandsons, James Hawkins and wife Marsha of Kalispell, Matthew Hawkins of Kalispell and David Hawkins of Los Angeles. Her biggest smiles were saved for her great-grandson, Dillon James Hawkins, of Kalispell.

Her faith in the promises of Jesus Christ enabled her to face mortality with grace, dignity and courage.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at the church of Christ in Columbia Falls.

Arrangements are under the direction of Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.