Wanda Rose Thompson Hawkins, age 93, a native of Springfield, Missouri, died on January 21, 2018 at Cox Hospital after a brief illness.

Wanda Rose was born August 24, 1924 in Springfield to James Hershel and Georgia Lee Thompson.  Wanda attended Springfield Senior High School, now Central High School, and graduated with the Class of '42.  She went on to attend Drury University and there was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.  It was just after the onset of the war in 1944 that she started dating the love of her life, Donald David Hawkins.  They were married in 1945 at First and Calvary Presbyterian Church.

Donald had served in the Army Air Corps during the war, and went on to serve in the United States Air Force for 33 years with Wanda at his side.  Over the years she served as an example to so many other military spouses.  She was ever the consummate wife, mother, grandmother, organizational leader and had an amazing gift of hospitality.   She also was an expert at moving and setting up a new household.  She orchestrated moving her family an incredible 23 times including three overseas moves.

After retiring from the Air Force, Don and Wanda returned back to Springfield and reunited with their families and many high school and college friends.  Wanda was a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, DAR, Drury Women's Auxiliary, Binnie Clements Guild, La Soiree Dance Club, Twin Oaks Country Club, The Springfield Art Museum, and many other other clubs and organizations.  She loved her life in Springfield, and loved all of her family and friends who shared life with her.

Preceded in death by her son James Donald Hawkins, and her son-in-law, Johnny Lee Green, Wanda is survived by her husband of 72 years, Donald David, her daughter Barbara Hawkins Green, her grandchildren Shannon Green Singleton (Brian), Kyle Green (Amanda), Tyler Hawkins, Cory Hawkins and great-grandchildren Grant Hawkins, and Dylan and Cash Singleton.

A Memorial Service will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home on Sunday, February 4, 2018. A time of visitation will be held at 2:00 pm, with the service at 3:00 pm.  There will be a private burial at the Veterans Cemetery on Monday, February 5.