Rebecca “Becki” Lynn Hawkins Gladden, 72, passed from this life on January 3, 2021. Becki was born June 21, 1948 in Gadsden, Alabama to the late Charles and Jane (Morgan) Hawkins.
In 1969 she became a Registered Nurse, graduating the top of her class from Anniston Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She worked the majority of her career at Humana Hospital, including head of the colo-rectal surgery unit and head of nutritional support. Once Humana transitioned to Huntsville Hospital, she worked on the floor for women and children/nursery. She ended her career at RN-4U, as a triage nurse for multiple doctor’s offices.
At the young age of 54, Becki was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. True to her love of medicine and helping others, she dedicated herself to the task of trying to advance Alzheimer’s research by participating in Alzheimer’s medical trials. She had every intention of donating her own body to science to help advance Alzheimer’s research, but was unable to due to the COVID pandemic.
Becki was a member of Willowbrook Baptist Church and loved her Sunday School class. She was passionate about her faith and family. She loved animals, movies, seafood, and the color red. She was the consummate hostess and made everyone feel welcome.
Becki was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles Hawkins, Jr. Surviving family includes her son, her greatest joy, Jason (Tonya) Gladden; sister, Nancy (Randy) Rush, sister-in-law, Diane Hawkins; niece Terri Hawkins Darby; nephew Gregory Bushey; niece, Lori (Chris) Engel; and several great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend special thanks to South Hampton Nursing and Rehab and Kindred Hospice for the special care they provided for Becki.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at alz.org, Huntsville Hospital Foundation at huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org, in the area of your choice.
Due to the COVID Pandemic, there will not be a visitation. Becki will be laid to rest, alongside her parents, in a small graveside service for immediate family at Maple Hill Cemetery on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 11 a.m.
