Cora Ann Hawkins of Hermiston passed away in Hermiston on June 7, 2025 at the age of 86.
She was born on June 13, 1938 in Carter, S.D. to William and Inez Anderson Abbott.
Cora Ann grew up on her family’s cattle ranch near Winner, S.D., where she raised both a raccoon and a skunk as pets. During her teen years her mother became ill and her grandmother helped raise her.
When Cora Ann was in her late teens, she married Leland Wayne McFarland in Winner, S.D. The couple moved to Rapid City, S.D., Wyoming, Colorado and Montana following Leland’s career as a millwright. Cora Ann worked as a waitress for many years while raising their children. In 1974, the couple moved to Hermiston. They divorced in the late 1970s.
Cora Ann bought several semi-trucks and ran LCD&S Trucking for a few years. She also drove pilot car and worked as a waitress at Crossroads Truck Stop in Umatilla.
Cora Ann married David P. Hawkins in the early 1980s. The couple moved to Central Oregon and lived in the Bend and Prineville areas for over 20 years. Cora Ann and David worked together driving truck for many of those years. They returned to the Hermiston area in the early 2000s.
Cora Ann enjoyed crocheting, reading, watching westerns and taking trips to the coast.
She is survived by her son, Leland “Jerry” McFarland; daughters, Cheryl Griggs, Deborah Johnson and adopted daughter Samantha Jordan; 13 grandchildren;
27 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brother, Bill and his wife Kay Abbott; and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Susan Turner; husband, David Hawkins; sister, Delores; and two sisters who passed as children.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later time.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
