Barbara Ann Edlin Hawks

Barbara Ann Edlin Hawks died peacefully in Florida on Wednesday December 3rd after a long illness. Her family is mourning her passing but also rejoicing and comforted in knowing that Barbara is now and forever resting in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven.  

Barbara was born in Vallejo, California on August 5th 1944, and traveled from coast to coast and lived in many places during her early years as the daughter of a career Naval Warrant Officer.   

Barbara was a graduate of Frayser High School and lived in Frayser for over 70 years. Many in the Frayser area would know Barbara from her decades of work at the Medical Clinic of Doctors Hamilton and Hines. Barbara was a loving and devoted caregiver that spent her professional and free time selflessly taking care of everyone around her.  

She was preceded in death by her parents Bob and Anna Edlin, also of Memphis, and was their only child. She leaves behind beloved family members and friends from California to Massachusetts, as well as Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida.   

Barbara lived a simple and peaceful life and always put her family’s needs before her own. Barbara was an avid shopper with a keen eye for a sale, and everyone that she loved benefited from one of her bargain finds. She was always happiest buying shoes, clothes, or little surprises for the kids in her life, and the smiles on their faces were always her greatest reward. Her other favorite reward was cookies. 

Barbara was a fan of the music made from the 50’s through the 70’s, and had a special place in her heart for the 60’s surf rock music of the Beach Boys. She jokingly said that the Beach Boys wrote three songs about her. California Girls, Fun Fun Fun ( because her daddy eventually did have to take the keys to her Thunderbird away ) , and Barbara Ann.  

Barbara was kind, caring, and generous, and she always looked for the goodness in everyone. She had a contagious laugh and had an adorable habit of twirling her hair around her index finger while talking to her friends on the phone for hours. She loved Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters, watching classic tv sitcoms with her family, and thankfully, Barbara was always the person behind the camera taking pictures at family gatherings and special events. As if she wasn’t busy enough, in the 1970’s and 80’s, Barbara was a top performer selling both Tupperware and Avon. 

Barbara’s life will be celebrated with close family and friends at a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, her family would prefer a donation to be made in Barbara Hawks name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.  

Crevasse’s Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Hawks family.