Mrs. Marcell Nichols Hawkins Obituary (1923

Marcell Nichols Hawkins was born Thursday, October 11, 1923 in Louisiana, Missouri to Cecil and Myrtle Nichols. She was the eldest of six children. Marcell was educated in the Des Moines Public School system and graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1942. That September 18th, she married her lifelong love, Robert Earl Hawkins in Missouri. They were married 56 years and from their blessed union, seven beautiful children were born (including two sets of twins), Gary, Larry, Thomas, Anita, Stanley, Patrice and Paulette. Marcell worked at Blank Children's Hospital for 35 years as a Nurse's Aide. Marcell loved sewing, making ceramics, craft-making, traveling, reading and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a fantastic cook and loved a good meal. Marcell was known by many nicknames, Granny, Cell, Sissy, and Mama Cella. She was a beautiful spirit that touched many lives in her 89 years. She loved to dispense advice and she was known for speaking her mind whether you liked it or not. Many of you will remember Granny driving all about town and later walking to Walgreens every single day and sometimes after dark. Marcell is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert E. Hawkins; her parents, Cecil and Myrtle Nichols; and her brothers, Donald and Merle Nichols. Left to cherish her memory are her seven children, Gary (Maurine) Hawkins of Maryland, Larry (Maria) Hawkins of Des Moines, Thomas (Teresa) Hawkins of Urbandale, Anita Hawkins-Boston of Des Moines, Stanley (Barbara) Hawkins of Maryland, Patrice (Rick) Frazier of Georgia, and Paulette (William) Fowler of Nebraska; her two brothers, Jesse and Noble Nichols; her sister, Gloria Dixson all of Des Moines; 20 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances. Cemetery Details Glendale Cemetery 4901 University Des Moines, IA, 50310