Betty Jean Graves Dawkins
May 28, 1930 (Weir, Mississippi) - February 25, 2024 (Springfield, Illinois)
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Parents: Herbert and Arlin Burford Graves
Spouse: Joseph C. Dawkins Children: Joseph C. Dawkins, Jr. and Susan (Grant) Russell College Attended: Foster Business College |
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Betty Jean Graves Dawkins, 93, of Springfield, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of February 25, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital. She was born May 28, 1930, in Weir, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Herbert and Arlin Burford Graves. She married Joseph C. Dawkins on January 23, 1960, in Memphis, TN and they enjoyed over 54 years of marriage together. Betty and Joseph moved to Springfield in 1961.
Betty graduated from Foster Business College and worked for Swift & Co. in Memphis, TN until 1960. She was an Elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church and active in the Presbyterian Women organization. She was a 27-year member of the King's Daughters (Alice Gottschalk Circle). She enjoyed being a homemaker, raising her children, playing with her grandchildren, auditing Literature and Astronomy courses at UIS, participating in Elder Hostels, attending social gatherings with friends, reading, and gardening.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Joseph; and many other family and friends. She is survived by her son, Joseph Jr. of Springfield; daughter, Susan (husband, Grant) Russel of Findlay, OH; and grandsons, Peter Russel of Indianapolis, IN and Franklin Russel of Fort Collins, CO. Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.
The family will host a Memorial Gathering from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 16, 2024. A memorial ceremony will follow at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer officiating. Interment of cremated remains will take place immediately following the memorial service at Westminster's Memorial Garden.
Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 South Walnut, Springfield, IL 62704.
The family is being served by Boardman- Smith Funeral Home – 800 South Grand Ave West, Springfield.
Betty Dawkins Obituary published on Legacy.com by Boardman-Smith Funeral Home on Feb. 25, 2024.
Betty graduated from Foster Business College and worked for Swift & Co. in Memphis, TN until 1960. She was an Elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church and active in the Presbyterian Women organization. She was a 27-year member of the King's Daughters (Alice Gottschalk Circle). She enjoyed being a homemaker, raising her children, playing with her grandchildren, auditing Literature and Astronomy courses at UIS, participating in Elder Hostels, attending social gatherings with friends, reading, and gardening.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Joseph; and many other family and friends. She is survived by her son, Joseph Jr. of Springfield; daughter, Susan (husband, Grant) Russel of Findlay, OH; and grandsons, Peter Russel of Indianapolis, IN and Franklin Russel of Fort Collins, CO. Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.
The family will host a Memorial Gathering from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 16, 2024. A memorial ceremony will follow at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer officiating. Interment of cremated remains will take place immediately following the memorial service at Westminster's Memorial Garden.
Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 South Walnut, Springfield, IL 62704.
The family is being served by Boardman- Smith Funeral Home – 800 South Grand Ave West, Springfield.
Betty Dawkins Obituary published on Legacy.com by Boardman-Smith Funeral Home on Feb. 25, 2024.