Home OBITUARIES Gladine Parnell (Deister) Hawkins, Paris Texas

Gladine Parnell (Deister) Hawkins, Paris Texas

by MyParisTexas
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Gladine Parnell (Deister) Hawkins went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 24, 2020 at the age of 99 at Brentwood Terrace Healthcare in Paris, Texas.

She was born April 3, 1921 in Pine Forrest, TX to Earl Thomas and Emma Augustine Parnell. Together they welcomed three children. Her brothers, RB Parnell preceded her in death in 1994 and Gordan Earl Parnell in 2004.

She was married to Henry Thomas Deister, Sr. from 1940 to 1954. In 1954 she married Henry Grady Hawkins of Henrietta, TX. He preceded her in death in 1982.

She was descended from English and Irish immigrants who came to the New World in the early 1600’s.

Gladine worked for 17 years at the Safeway Stores in Plano & McKinney as a Checker and also built many Award Winning Displays for the Stores. She greeted every Customer with a smile and most by name. She retired in early in 1982 due to herHusbands ill health . After His death in 1982 she moved to Paris, TX and built a home behind her daughter Barbara and Son-in-Law Tom Newman’s house in Paris. They’re son, Sean Newman fondly recalls the many sleepovers at Grandma’s house, which was just outside his backyard and the many outings they took together in her car, “ Old Blue” thru the countryside and to Ada, OK to visit all the Parnell Familes. She was known for her quick wit, contagious laugh, sense of humor, plus the long letters she wrote to her Grandchildren which were a joy for all the family to read. Telling tales of picking cotton, hitching up the mules to go to town and many stories of her childhood days which all such a pleasure to hear about. She even wrote out her life’s story for Granddaughter Nancy(Deister)Devault because she enjoyed reading and wanted to know all about her Grandma’s life.

Your never to old to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. She started attending East Paris Baptist Church with her family and in 1983 she did just that and joined the Church. What a day of rejoicing!

The Newman’s moved to Navarre, FL in 2000 and Ms. Gladine stayed behind until 2002 when she made the move to join them. The old saying, “ You can take the Girl out of Texas, but you can’t take the Texas out of the Girl” came true for her in 2014. Her health failing she requested to come home, she wanted her last breath to be in Texas.

Her family brought her home at which time she moved into Brentwood Terrace Nursing Home. Longtime friend, Debra Kay(McNeal)Strickland and Husband Dewayne of Honey Grove, Tx oversaw her care until 2015 when the Newman’s returned after selling they’re home in Florida. Ms. Gladine’s Family are forever in they’re debt for the love & care they bestowed on her. Debra & “Cowboy” as she called Dewayne were offically adopted by Grandma Dean.

She is survived by sons, Henry Thomas(Tom) Deister , William Glenn Deister and wife Evelyn of Salem, OR., daughter Barbara Neman and husband Thomas F.(Tuck) Newman of Reno, TX. Six Grandchildren: Andrea(Koobs) Meader-Alex and Husband Jeff of Turner, OR., Sean Thomas Newman and Wife Brooke of Anna, TX., Charles Deister and Wife, Michelle of Salem, OR., Nancy (Deister) DeVault and Husband, Corey of Dallas, OR. , Bryan Deister and Wife, Rosario of SanJose, CA., Valeria(Deister-Lee)Graves and Husband Brenner of Salem, OR..10 Great-Grandchildren: Matthew and Jeremiah Lee, Savannah (Koobs)Schroeder, Salem, Or., Mollie Koobs-Alex and CH Bailey Koobs, both of Turner, OR., Lauren Deister, San Jose, CA.,Adrienne, Ava, Isla and Zoey Newman of Anna, TX., Ellis A. Deister of Salem, Oregon.. 2 Great-Great Grandchildren: Grayson and AdilineSchroeder and Ellis A. Deister, all of Salem, OR.

Mrs. Hawkins will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery in Paris, TX on Friday, Sept. 4th at at 10:00 a.m. next to the Love of her life, her husband, Grady, under the direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home.

To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com

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