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(all 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.
A short service and pre-cremation viewing with a life-photos video will be held Sat., May 22, 2021 from 1 – 3 p.m. at 8418 S. 222nd St., Kent, WA 98031
Go to www.mbdanielsmortuary.com for complete obituary.
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