Sep 3, 1929 - Sep 2, 2024 Mabel Laverne Hawkins went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, September 2nd, 2024, the day before her 95th birthday. She was born September 3rd,1929 to Joe Denton and Faye Blackburn Denton in Big Spring, Texas. Joe and Faye Denton had three daughters, Ruth Gibson, Mabel Hawkins, and Jo Bryant.
After tragically losing her father at the age of four, Mabel and her mother and sisters move to the Merkel area to live on their grandparent's farm. Mabel, her mother, and her sisters worked in the fields on their grandparent's farm. Mabel graduated from Merkel High School, and then went to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech to be close to her sister Ruth and her husband LB Gibson.
While attending Texas Tech, she went on the one and only blind date of her life with Royce Jopling who would eventually be her husband and the father of her children. Royce and Mabel were blessed with two children with their first born Joe and later their daughter Susan. Royce and Mabel raised their family in Lubbock.
After losing Royce, Mabel met Bundy Bratcher through mutual friends. She married Bundy and moved to Plainview and became a part of the Bratcher's extended family. In the 90's, Bundy and Mabel moved to Bryan and found a church home at First Baptist Bryan where they were welcomed and made wonderful friends who always appreciated Bundy's homemade ice cream.
Mabel married Dr. Henry Hawkins after losing Bundy and once again was blessed with a wonderful husband and stepfamil.