Rachel Ervine Hawker

Rachel Ervine Brown Hawker, 75, of Elon died at the Hospice Home in Burlington on Sunday, October 8, 2017 after a 5-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

Born August 3, 1942 to Ervin and Vannie Brown of Guilford County, she graduated salutatorian of Monticello High School in Browns Summit before graduating from Elon College in 1964.

Rachel worked as a teacher for 30 years in Alamance County Schools: the first 10 at Graham High School with the remaining 20 at Western Alamance. At Graham she was known as Ervine Perdue. At Western, she was also known as Rachel Todd. Upon retirement, she spent several years at Elon Animal Hospital before returning to AO Elementary, where she stayed until 2008.

Raised in Apples Chapel, she never truly left, especially so long as her parents lived. She was an active member of Shallow Ford Christian Church for 50 years.

She was predeceased by her parents; a sister, Annie Lea Hawk; a step son, Brian Hawker; and her husband of 20 years, Jesse Hawker. She is survived by a son, William Lance Perdue of Clarke County, Georgia; her daughter, Laurie Ann Perdue of Ventura County, California; son in law Gary Okano; granddaughters, Alex E. Perdue and Emerson C Okano; nephew, Gene Lamb (Patty); brother in law, Harold Hawk (Ruth); step daughter, Teresa Hawker (Jones); and many members of both the John M and Susan W Brown family, as well as the extended Jesse Hawker family.

She also leaves behind church families at Apples Chapel and Shallow Ford Christian Church, approximately 3000 former students, and more recent friends at Blakey Hall.

She was dependable and known for great attention to detail. It was far more the rule than the exception for her to recognize former students.

Her dedication to her children showed in her support for her son’s many golfing exploits, even taking to the course a few times herself. For her daughter, it ranged from dance to cheerleading to caring for a pet chicken once. She tolerated both children’s cats, even more so in her years at the vet’s office. She sewed, and briefly had both children into macramé.

In her working years, travel was modest, but she saw plenty of the Carolina Coast and Florida. In retirement, and with Jesse, she saw much of California, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada.

The funeral service will be held at Shallow Ford Christian Church on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11:00 AM by Pastor Steve Reagan. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service on Saturday at Shallow Ford Christian Church from 10:00 until 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220 or Hospice of Alamance – Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.

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