Cheryl Hawkins

Cheryl Elaine (Botler) Hawkins

After over 44 years in an arduous fight with Multiple Sclerosis

and a short bout with the COVID-19 virus, on Tues., April 13,

2021 God gave Cheryl Elaine (Botler) Hawkins her freedom from

this earth realm.

Born May 9, 1950 in Seattle, WA, Cheryl was the second of five

daughters born to the late Alvin H. and Maxine Botler(Bibb).

She was preceded in transitioning by two of her younger

siblings, Arlene Lynette and Gordon Dean Botler.

Ms. Hawkins was the initial child of “Al and Mac” to be smitten

with the musical bug. At the age of seven she flourished with it.

Shortly after her grandmother(the late Dorothy “Docie” Botler)

noticed that “Sheri”, as she was affectionately called, had a

natural knack for harmony and putting notes together on the

piano, she sought out a teacher. Later, one of her music

instructors would quip that Sheri was “one of the most

incredible sight readers I’ve ever seen.”

Soon young Cheryl was competing — and winning - a variety of

classical piano competitions. During her adolescence she played

and sang in her alma mater Garfield High School’s choir, the

Choraleers under the direction of Parker Cook and a number of

churches, including Seattle’s People’s Institutional Baptist.

A phenomenal, determined woman who always had high

expectations and standards, Ms. Hawkins was a mentor to

young girls with considerable aplomb. She was a stickler for

perfection and didn’t believe in the word “can’t”. This was

evident when she applied to be a troop leader in the Girls

Scouts of America. Her unique skills in leading afforded her the

chance to travel abroad to Tunisia in North Africa.

Her foresight, master typing - she easily and flawlessly typed

85-90 words a minute — and organizational skills made her a

lock as an Administration Executive Assistant where she worked

in Washington, D.C. before being diagnosed with Multiple

Sclerosis.

Cheryl is survived by her sisters Roberta L. Banks(Los Angeles,

CA) and Pamela K. Botler, Wendy A. Hoard, brothers Byron A.

and Alvin C-C Botler; nephews Martin J. Banks(all of Seattle,

WA); Sheldon D. Botler, Alvin F. and Brian L. Henderson(alI in

LA) and Benjamin D Hoard( Dallas, TX); nieces Ashel E. Carter

(Dallas, TX), Samantha K. Henderson (Sacramento, CA) and

Olivia MacDonald(Seattle); grand-nephews Jeffrey Emon Banks

and Marquise Breaux-Banks(both of Seattle) and Ever

Henderson(LA); grand-nieces Leah, A’Niyia and great grand

nephew Emon Jeffrey Banks(Seattle) and a host of friends and

acquaintances.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cheryl Hawkins, please visit our floral store.