Betty L. Laming Hawley

Betty Louise Hawley/Laming passed away on Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 after a happy celebration with family of her 90th birthday. A graveside service will be held on June 12th at the Williamsburg Cemetery off of Old M-72 in downtown Williamsburg where she will be laid to rest next to her parents, Gordan William Laming and Doris Edith Laming (Copeland). Robert (Bob) and Fred Laming have preceded her in death. Her sister-in-law, Virginia Laming (Bruck) still lives Monroe, MI.

Betty was born on April 28, 1928 at a home birth weighing only 5 lbs. We heard a story that she could fit inside a cigar box, and our grandma gave her a thimbleful of whiskey to keep her alive. Determined to do as she wanted was her main character, including through the great depression. It was told that a relative of her's was the first settler in Kalkaska County. Betty had roots! The old Copeland farm is still standing. Betty married Maynard W. Hawley (deceased) who lived across the road from her when she was only 18 years old on June 16th. She bore 3 children, Penny, Janet and Terry and is survived by all her children, 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren,(see document on the family album page for children's names) plus more children have been added to her family. Penny Chouinard lives in Kingsley, MI with her husband, Bob; Janet Hogan lives in Roswell, NM with her husband, Kevin; and Terry Hawley lives in Ladson, SC with his wife, Sherdyne.

Betty worked as a nurse's aide in a nursing home to provide for her children later in life as a single mom. She also became a piano teacher to earn extra money. Her family always came first. She attended Assembly of God church until she could no longer get there on her own, where she played the piano and/or organ. She also worked at different jobs and was able to travel to see family for as long as possible. She enjoyed a few trips by airplane, bus and car. Her stay at the Grand Pavilions was short but a pleasant place for her to reside with a view of a garden from her bedside, where she would comment "the trees are so pretty changing color from purple to white, I want to take a picture." She got to appreciate God's creation of nature during springtime, her favorite time of the year.

During her life's journey, she would help anyone she felt deserved or needed help if she was able to give it only asking respect. She often went without to provide for others. She took in several people and adopted many animals who were in need of a home. She was like the widow at the temple who gave her last two mites for those in need. She depended on Jesus to hear her every prayer, and if you had a need and told her about it, she would use her connection to bend our Lord's ear on her loved ones' behalf. She'd pray "In the name of Jesus", and her prayers were answered. Her prayers will continue.

Mark 12:42: And there came a certain poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing... 43: And calling his disciples together, he saith to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow hath cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury.... 44: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.