Edna Hawkins McLaughlin, a longtime resident of Westminster Canterbury in Virginia Beach, departed her earthly life on November 8, 2021. Born in Bedford County on July 26, 1919 as Edna Arlene Nichols to Albert Norman and Nellie Padgett Nichols, she grew up in Lynchburg and resided in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach area since 1943. She was predeceased by husbands, Dabney Hawkins, Sr. and Ben McLaughlin and granddaughter Karen Fedro.
Edna was employed at Sears Roebuck & Co. as a Catalog Department Supervisor for over 25 years. She was also a longtime member of *Virginia Heights Baptist Church serving in several capacities including Sunday School Teacher, Director of Training, Vacation Bible School and supporting various missionary organizations.
She was highly active for many years in the Norfolk Baptist Association, served on the Virginia State Women's Missionary Union, was a former member of Business and Professional Women, the Kempsville Women’s Club and volunteered at Sentra Leigh Hospital for 18 years.
Surviving family members include Edna’s son, D.B. Hawkins and wife Janet of Norfolk; daughter, Janice H. Bailey and husband Ed residing in The Villages, Florida; stepsons, Loy McLaughlin of Lancaster, Virginia and David McLaughlin of Chesapeake; 5 grandchildren, Dana Zacharias, Jennifer Kreiser, Marcy Young, Blake Bailey, Eric, Carrie and Sherry McLaughlin. She also had 9 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Edna’s celebration of life will be at *New Heights Fellowship at 1251 Kempsville Road, Norfolk on November 26, 2021 at 2pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior at the church.
Internment will immediately follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church or to Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Fund. You may offer your condolences at www.smithandwilliamskempsville.com.
