Vera Belle (Taylor) Hawes

Vera Belle Hawes, 91, of Kalamazoo, passed away July 27, 2019. She was born July 15, 1928 in Kalamazoo to the late Roy C. and Evelyn E. (Williams) Taylor.

Vera worked for Mead Corporation for 34 years and retired from there. She loved spending time with her family and making friends—she knew someone wherever she went. She also enjoyed attending Mass, knitting, and reading.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph E. Hawes; son, Carl Gaylor; step-daughter, Margaret Currier; and siblings, William Buckey, Roy Taylor, James Taylor, Vivian Wentworth, Evelyn Williams, Belva Jane Sagers, Alton Taylor, and Larry Taylor.

Vera is survived by her daughters, Darlene (Ronald) Gray, Rosemary (Brian) McMullen, and Jackie (James) Lioy; step-daughter, Jane (Dan) Walker; daughter-in-law, Sharon Gaylor; grandchildren, Richard, Michael B., Jessica, Jason, Joseph, Julie, Brianna, Michael P., Joseph S., and Jamie; five great-grandchildren; sister, Melva Jean Ulmer; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, August 9, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 23830 Front St., Mattawan, MI 49071, with Rev. Fr. Alan Jorgensen, celebrant. Interment will immediately follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Mattawan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SouthernCare Hospice.