Ms. Dreema “Nonie” Hawkins, 72, of Morganton passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Autumn Care of Drexel following a period of declining health.
Ms. Hawkins was born May 11, 1951 in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Cling and Mary Watson Chandler. Dreema was a faithful member of Solid Rock Baptist Church. She was an avid bowler and was part of several leagues before her health prevented her from continuing. She loved animals, especially her canine companions, and she enjoyed cooking for her family.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in passing by her brother, James “Buddy” Chandler.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 30 years, James Albert Hawkins; sister, Dianna Lynn Pitts and husband Eddie; children, Dewayne Hawkins and wife Kristie, Candy Stiles and husband Jamie, and Reneé Hudgins and husband Devon; six grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Receiving of Friends will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Heritage Funeral Service from 5 PM to 6:30 PM.
Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory is assisting the family.
So very sorry to hear of Dreema’s passing all are in our prayers, may The Lord give comfort and peace Love and prayers, Mike, Sandy, and Jeff Stiles
Dreema was a loving sister , aunt. She will be missed.
Dreema was a dear friend to me thru the years that we worked together at Broughton and after we retired. She was a very thoughtful person and treated everyone with kindness. My heart is broken but I’m so thankful that she only had to go thru one cancer treatment. She will be missed by many. I saw her last week and spent some time with her. I know that she’s dancing and cooking and loving on everyone that’s gone before. I love you sweet Dreema.
I would have loved Dreema even if she wasn’t my sister in law. She was special to me from the first time I met her. Of course she could be a little bossy. We didn’t always agree on matters of religion or political beliefs, but we did always agree that we loved each other. I hate to think of a world without her in it but at the same time I hated to think of her living with the torments that were afflicting her. Dreemas spirit was always one of; go out, live large and see things. She was not able to feed her spirirt first because of the stroke that took so much from her and then the cancer that took her voice and then her life. She didn’t deserve any of this. There is nothing that anyone can say or quote that would ever convince me that there was a master plan that required her suffering. It makes more sense that this was just a big bundle of bad luck that a good person got stuck with. I am sad that I can’t make any new memories with Dreema but I at least have a lot of memories that no one can take away, so she will live on in my memories of her for the rest of my life.
I would have loved Dreema even if she wasn’t my sister in law. She was special to me from the first time I met her. Of course she could be a little bossy. We didn’t always agree on matters of religion or political beliefs, but we did always agree that we loved each other. I hate to think of a world without her in it but at the same time I hated to think of her living with the torments that were afflicting her. Dreemas spirit was always one of; go out, live large and see things. She was not able to feed her spirirt first because of the stroke that took so much from her and then the cancer that took her voice and then her life. She didn’t deserve any of this. There is nothing that anyone can say or quote that would ever convince me that there was a master plan that required her suffering. It makes more sense that this was just a big bundle of bad luck that a good person got stuck with. I am sad that I can’t make any new memories with Dreema but I at least have a lot of memories that no one can take away, so she will live on in my memories of her for the rest of my life.
This week we lost one of my favorite people in the world my “Aunt Dreema” and I want to tell people how amazing she was.
Dreema was like the “Cool” Aunt that didn’t have any kids, had a great job as a respiratory therapist, had a mustang foxbody, and was always traveling the world, etc.
When I was a kid I would spend the weekends with her whenever mom would let me which was actually quite often.
I would sit at the bowling alley with her for hours drawing pictures while she bowled with her league. She always encouraged me and made sure that I knew I could do anything I put my mind to. She had cable while we only had the antenna at home so of course Saturday morning cartoons were a favorite of mine (USA Cartoon Express was my favorite).
I remember how happy I was the day I walked in and she bought me the G.I Joe aircraft carrier from her neighbor and surprised me with it, I didn’t care that it was used I just remember how ecstatic I was to have it.
She had a profound effect on me growing up and was such a positive role model. I am positive that watching and being a part of her life when I was younger is what convinced me that I didn’t want kids and wanted to travel the world instead and for that I can never repay her because I am living my best life with my queen.
Today I am mad at myself because The last time I went and saw her was on January 6th and before that it was typically just the holidays…
People as we get older we have to quit telling ourselves that we have plenty of time to go see the people that meant so much at some point because the truth is we don’t…we don’t have time anymore.
Go see them, tell them you love them often, and remember them daily to keep their memory from fading away.
I can still smell the turkey bacon (back then it was called Sizalean) you fixed me every weekend and hear Foreigner or Rod Stewart playing in the background of the kitchen.
I LOVE YOU Aunt Dreema Hawkins and will cherish you, your love, and your memories always….