Laura Ellen Hayworth

Laura Ellen (Hawkins) Hayworth born September 26, 1933, passed away on August 20, 2024, at her home on Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana. She was the oldest surviving daughter of Bernice (Snyder) Hawkins and James Hillis Hawkins, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by a sister Alice and her 11-year old daughter Elizabeth Ann.

Laura’s father was a farmer and her mother a school teacher. Her early youth was spent as a farm girl with both parents insuring numerous activities in addition to school and church. She was a 10-year 4-H’er and a Rainbow Girl for several years. She participated in church camp, visited her maternal grandparents in South Whitley for extended periods, and was a cheerleader for Montmorenci High School’s basketball team. She and her father never missed a game, either home or away. Also, like her father she never met a stranger with whom she could not talk. This led to many interesting situations throughout her life.

After graduating in a class of eight from high school, Laura went to Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana, where she was an Alpha Psi Omega honorary. She graduated with a BS in History. Between college terms she worked as a waitress and as a camp counselor in Colorado and Quebec, Canada. She furthered her education with graduate studies at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Laura taught at Wadena High School of Benton County and at Wolcottville High School, both in Indiana. She also taught and worked with mentally handicapped children in Leonardtown, Maryland; Las Cruces, New Mexico; and Leesburg, Virginia. Laura retired from Electronic Data Systems (Herndon, Virginia) where she worked in Labor Accounting.

Laura married Robert (Bob) Gene Hayworth on May 27, 1956, in the Otterbein Methodist Church, Otterbein, Indiana. He survives. Together they were blessed with four children: Robert Douglas (Doug) Hayworth born in Alamogordo, New Mexico, (wife: Marie); Grace Ellen (Hayworth) Daugherty, born in San Jose, California, (husband: Scott); Elizabeth Ann Hayworth born in Leonardtown, Maryland (d. 1976); and Barbara Jean (Hayworth) Angstadt also born in Leonardtown, (husband: Jay). Their blessings continue with 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Bob’s work as an electronic aerospace engineer in Military electronics required extensive travel throughout most of the continental U.S.

Laura enjoyed the travel and, as a major portion was by auto, a travel book or two was always in the car prompting her to share obscure facts on the areas through which they traveled. Additionally, with schedules permitting, she could always find an interesting detour for the family. Upon reaching their destination, Laura insured living quarters, schools, doctors and children activities were adequate, then looked for a church, bible studies, book clubs, libraries, and women groups helping others, as well as individuals that she felt had a need. It was not unusual for Bob to come home from work and find strangers in the house for dinner or a requirement to take someone somewhere or something to someone.

Her life with Bob was always a true partnership, with open discussions on all that really mattered including: jobs, moves, children, schooling, money and everything. Their love for each other, their family, friends and neighbors and even the strangers they had yet to meet was their way.

In addition to her surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, Laura is survived by 3 sisters: Carolyn (Gordon) Kolb, Emily (Darryl) Engel, and Mary (Kerry) Beebe; 3 brothers: Jim Hawkins, Carl Hawkins, and Joe Hawkins; and 1 brother-in-law: Jim (Barb) Hayworth; as well as numerous loving nieces, nephews and their progeny.

Even with her own health concerns, Laura always was concerned with her family and those around her. As such, her notice of passing would not be complete without wishing that all readers receive God’s blessings.

Friends may call from 4:00pm to 8:00pm (EST) on Friday, August 30, 2024 at the Fred L. Miller Memorial Chapel of Roscka Roth & Clapper Funeral Home (formerly Miller-Roscka) in Monticello, Indiana.

Funeral Services for Laura will be at 11:00am, Saturday, August 31, 2024 at the Roscka Roth & Clapper Funeral Home in Monticello.

Interment will follow at Montmorenci Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Monticello Christian Church or the Otterbein United Methodist Church by mailing to the Roscka Roth & Clapper  Funeral Home, 6368 E. U.S. 24, Monticello, Indiana, 47960.

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