Verna L. Alexander

Verna Louise Hawkins was born on August 6, 1925 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was the 7th of 9 children born to Vernie and Gussie Hawkins. In 1943, after graduating from Lincoln High School an all Black school in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Verna and her sister, Cassie moved to Seattle, Washington and stayed with relatives to find a home for the family.  The rest of the family moved to Seattle a few months later.

Verna attended the University of Washington, taking courses in textile design and also attended Seattle University taking business courses while she worked.

Verna met Donald Alexander in Seattle and they were married on August 26, 1951. They took a three month tour to Europe, visiting that cities as Lisbon, Copenhagen, London, and Paris.

In 1956 their only daughter Judith was born. They resided in the Seattle area for many years and then moved to Mercer Island where Donald built their family home in 1970.

Verna began working again to help put Donald through Pacific Coast banking school at the University of Washington. Verna worked at the Army Corps of Engineers, at Pier 36. Verna then worked at the SOIC/Multi Service Center at 23rd and Jackson in the Central District of Seattle where she assisted families, friends, and others find employment. After that Verna began working for the state of Washington Employment Security Department at the Seattle Center and then at the Rainier Valley Work Source Center. Verna retired from there in 1991 after more than 35 years of service with the State of Washington.

 Verna enjoyed entertaining and cooking her specialty recipes. They loved to dance listen to some great music. She also enjoyed family vacations at the ocean in Oregon, Vancouver, Canada, Banff Springs, Canada, and other places as well.

Verna was a member of the National Council of Negro Women and with the Jack and Jill group of Seattle. Verna was on the committee o the Ebony Fashion Fair where she had an annual table every year and sold tickets to families and friends. She also was a member of the Blacks in Government.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents Vernie & Gussie Hawkins, her husband Donald Alexander, her daughter Judith Alexander, her siblings: (Sisters) Cleophus Hawkins Andrews, Theresa Hawkins Hawes, Cassie Ingram, and Catherine Hawkins Hughes (Brothers) Edwin Hawkins, Lee Hawkins, Irvin Hawkins. Verna was the last surviving child of Vernie and Gussie Hawkins before her death. She has many other relatives as well that have preceded her in death.

Verna is survived by a host of nieces and nephews and great and great-great nieces and nephews of the Hawkins Family and the Alexander Family  friends. We will miss her dearly.

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