Doris Hawkins

Funeral services for Doris Jo Whitehead Hawkins, age 83 of Cookeville, were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday February 24 at the outdoor pavilion of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Rev. Richard Bond officiated. Interment followed at Algood City Cemetery. The family received friends Wednesday from 11 a.m. until service time at the church's pavilion. Social distancing and the use of masks was appreciated. Doris passed away Sunday evening February 21, 2021. She was born January 13, 1938 in Wyandotte, MI to the late Horace F. Whitehead and Mary Alice Churchwell Whitehead. Doris graduated from Lewis County High School in 1956 and graduated from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (TTU) in 1960. She retired from the Social Security Administration with over 30 years of service and retired from a second part time career at the age of 80. Doris was a member of Algood Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was active at the YMCA and with FCE at the UT Extension offices. She is survived by daughters, Dana (Mike) Davidson, Alice (Jeff) Peek, daughter-in-law Marsha; beloved granddaughters, Molly (Rhen) Hughey and Rachel Davidson all of Cookeville; brother-in-law, Bill Skelton of Hohenwald; and lifelong friends Claude Ann Burton, Peggy Heitzman, Jane Spears and Wray Churchwell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Curtis Hawkins; son, Michael Hawkins; and sister, Merle Skelton. To Doris, the best things in life were the people she loved, the places she traveled and the memories she made along the way. Doris was truly devoted to her family and friends. She supported her children and granddaughters in everything, attending every game or activity they were involved in. Besides taking such good care her own family, she was a mother hen to countless other kids, co-workers and any one she called friend. She was the person you could always count on. Doris loved traveling and never passed up a chance to visit new places. She had been to almost every state and several countries, truly “everywhere” was on her bucket list. But her favorite place was on Dale Hollow Lake, where she spent many family houseboat vacations, making forever memories. Doris easily struck up conversations with people and had many special groups of friends. She enjoyed her water aerobics family at the YMCA. Doris looked forward to parties with her birthday group, spending a Friday night with special friends playing cards, visiting with high school and college friends, or meeting for lunch with former co-workers. She was very active in her beloved Algood CP Church, having been the song leader for many years, was president of the CPW and was the church treasurer. Doris never let you leave her home hungry and always had a to-go plate ready for everyone. She loved to share her sourdough bread and “award-winning” jelly with others. Doris loved holiday celebrations with family. Birthday parties were always special and included singing Happy Birthday, whether in tune or not. She was usually planning the next party before the one on hand had ended. Knowing Doris, and being loved by her, was a privilege and blessing. We can never fill the void left by her, but we can try to live our lives by her example. Pallbearers were: Rhen Hughey, Josh Brady, Francisco Medina, Barry Chaffin, Robert Waites, Marcus Barnick, Dantley Heitzman and Ryland Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to YMCA swim program, 235 Raider Dr, Cookeville, TN 38501 or the Algood Cumberland Presbyterian Church, c/o Richard Bond, 136 2nd Ave N, Algood, TN 38506. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 Share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.