Shirley Hawks

Shirley Mae (Yoakam) Hawks, age 92, born in Ypsilanti, Michigan passed away peacefully at her home to be with her Lord Jesus on January 17, 2023.

She was born to Ida (Wright) and Chester Yoakam. She grew up near her grandfather Wright’s farm with her older brother, Fred. She spent much of her time with aunts, uncles and many cousins. She had to leave high school early but quickly returned to school, attending Owosso Bible School to finish high school and study music. At Owosso, she met her husband of 42 years, Nathan David Hawks. They were together until his death.

Shirley worked as a Physical Therapy assistant in Hastings, MI and Belleville, MI medical facilities. She retired from that role at Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti, MI.

Her true gift, passion and ministry was music. Her prayer at an early age was to be able to play any hymn written and she did her whole life. She played any hymn, psalm, or spiritual song she saw or heard along with others that people loved and enjoyed. She used her beautiful voice to sing melody or harmony in any way from solos to choirs and in any place possible. Her music took her on many journeys continuing into her last years in her daughter and son-in-law’s home.

Although her musical talents reached many people, it was her loving, generous, kind heart and joyful spirit that touched the lives of all those around her.

Preceded in death by mother, father, husband, brother and his wife, Louise Yoakam, granddaughter, Shannon (Clark) Makowski, brother-in-law, Paul Hawks, sister-in-law, MaryLou Hawks.

Survived by only child Constance (Connie) Fridrichsen and son-in-law, Mark, step-son, Russell (Janis) Clark and their son Daniel Clark, brother-in-law, Jim Hawks, sister-in-law, Joyce Hawks and nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Hymn Society at http://thehymnsociety.org and Gideon’s International at http://gideons.org