Grace Avis Philbin Hawkins Smith died Thursday, January 4, in Norman following a lengthy illness.

She was born March 14, 1917, in Pottawatomie County to Samuel Tilden Philbin and Edna Pearl Creach Philbin, the fifth of eight children.

On November 18, 1933, she married Lee Hawkins and they settled in Shawnee where they raised three children.

In 1964 Avis was widowed and started a career in real estate. In 1966 she moved with her daughter to Norman.

In 1967 she met and married Bill Smith. They spent some of their years together in New Mexico. While there, she began painting, exhibiting a previously unknown gift of expression through her art. After returning to Norman, Mrs. Smith volunteered with CASA as a court appointed special advocate, representing and supporting children who were in family crisis in the court system.

She was actively involved in University Christian Church, where she treasured her ladies' Sunday school class and the elders' strong arms and warm hearts.

Avis Smith was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Froman and Clyde; sisters, Myrtle Fay, Loyce Rutherford and Micki Harchuck; husband, Lee Hawkins; grandson, Zeb Slocomb and son, Richard Hawkins.

She is survived by her husband, W.R. {Bill} Smith of the home; son, Dr. Gene Hawkins and wife, Lou, of Oklahoma City; daughter, Janet Slocomb and husband, Bryan, of Goldsby; sisters, Fern Clausen of Harrah; and Gladys Copley of Bremerton, Washington. She leaves many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and close friends.

Pallbearers will be Mrs. Smith's grandchildren, Rick Hawkins and Tony Hawkins of Shawnee; Todd Hawkins of New York; Shawn Hawkins of Norman; Amy Harryman of Goldsby; and Brad Hawkins of Ohio.

Viewing will be noon to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Guardian Norman Funeral Home.

Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Monday at Resthaven Memorial Park in Shawnee.