Marsha Gayle Hawkins, 62, Adrian, Missouri, died Saturday, December 22, 2012 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services will be held 2:00pm Friday, December 28, 2012 at the Optimist Building in Adrian, Missouri. The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00pm Thursday, December 27, 2012 at the Optimist Building in Adrian. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Missouri. Contributions may be made to the Bryce Eidson Fund or the Hawkins Daycare.

Marsha was born September 24, 1950 in Texarkana, AR to Douglas Craig and Laverne Smith-Hensley. She was preceded in death by her father Douglas Craig Hensley, twin brother, Maurice Hensley, older brother, Keith Hensley, and sister Sandra Karen Hensley. Marsha is survived by her two daughters, Shannon Marie Burkes and her husband Carl and Deana Gayle Self and her husband Tim; three grandsons, Jarret Self, Bryant Burkes, and Hunter Self and one granddaughter, Mckenzi Self, all of Adrian, MO; her mother, Laverne Hensley of Texarkana, TX, brother, Jerry Hensley and his wife, Mireya of Fouke, AR, sister, Ann Wimberly and her husband, Rip of Ringgold, LA; sister-in-law, Nelda Davis of Minden, LA; along with 5 nieces and 5 nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

Marsha was baptized as a member of the Church of Christ in October of 1968. She has attended and been an active member of the Church of Christ in Butler, MO for the last 30 years. Marsha was a Christian of strong faith. She spent countless hours with the church and donated her time as a Sunday school teacher and bible study leader for many years. She held a certificate in Early Childhood Development received from Penn Valley College. Marsha was the owner of Hawkins Day Care Center and has been in child care for over 32 years, where she has proudly served the Bates County community. She provided love, guidance and encouragement to every child that she has cared for throughout her lifetime. The difference she has made in the lives of the children she cared for is priceless and immeasurable. Her doors were open to everyone; and as she spent her days caring for children it was not unheard of for her to come home to a house full at night too hosting her daughters and their friends. She never complained though as she enjoyed being surrounded by people knowing she was wanted, needed and able to keep them safe. Marsha spent much of her time helping others but devoted her life to her two daughters, and later her grandchildren, who were the light of her life. She was their rock and she took pride in the closeness that they shared. She was a true friend and mentor to those she loved and gave of herself unselfishly. Her smile would often light up the room but always the eyes of her children and grandchildren. She had patience, love, wisdom, compassion, strength and a sense of humor was unmatched. Marsha offered so much to so many and will be remembered always as she stamped the hearts of everyone she knew.