dris Hawthorne was called home at age 87 on April 30, 2013, at her daughter's home in Hayward, Calif. Edris was born April 29, 1926, in Middletown, Ohio. She was the youngest child of Reese and Gertrude Hughes. She and her husband, Robert W. (Bob), both natives of Ohio, moved to Gadsden, from St. Louis, Mo., in 1985. Edris moved to California in 2007 to be near her family, following the passing of her husband, Bob, in November 2003. She is survived by her daughter, Donna (Tony) Mendoza of Hayward, Calif.; stepdaughter, Johnna (Greg) Cox of Stafford, Texas; stepson, Robert L. (Chris) Hawthorne of St. Louis, Mo.; granddaughter, Julie Gromowsky (John Barberini) and her children, Brian (Lindsay and son, Keith) and Dylan of Hayward, Calif.; granddaughter, Erin (Brett) Hartin of Thornton, Colo., and their children, Haley and Tanner; stepgrandchildren, Dana Hawthorne and Cody Hawthorne of St. Louis, Nora Cox Davis (John) and Kevin Cox (Ashley and daughter, Kayla). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Her love and devotion to her family was evident in her life. After moving to Gadsden, Edris became a member of the James Memorial Baptist Church, where she served as staff pianist. She also served for several years as staff pianist at First Baptist Church. While in Gadsden, Edris served as executive director of the fund-raising campaign in the late '80s for the new Chamber of Commerce-Industrial Development Authority Building. In her honor, Mayor Steve Means proclaimed Sept. 27, 1994, as "Edris Hawthorne Day." A stepping stone was placed outside the Chamber building in her honor. She also served as sales and promotion director of the Spring Arts Showcase, and was president of the Altrusa Club. Edris and Bob were active members of the Gadsden Antique Auto Club, the Cheaha Vintage Auto Club and were both members of the Gadsden Lions Club. Edris was the first female member of the Lions Club, its first female president, and was the first female district governor of District 34-I, which covered 14 counties. She was named "Lion of the Year" in the state of Alabama in "recognition of distinguished service to Lionism" in the 1993-94 Lions year. A memorial service will be held at James Memorial Baptist Church, 2125 Ewing Ave, Gadsden, AL 35901, on Saturday, June 15, at 2 p.m. To honor Edris, the family suggests memorial contributions to either the James Memorial Baptist Church, or to Hope Hospice, 6377 Clark Ave., Dublin, CA 94566-3024.