Mary "Fern" Hankins, 88, of Murphysboro, passed away at 8:55 a.m. Thursday, November 15, 2018, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Fern was born on February 6, 1930, in Galatia, Illinois, to Ralph Smith and Letha (Arnold) Smith.

She was a graduate of the Galatia High School, where she received the first Music Award that was ever given by the high school. She loved music and had played the violin.

Mrs. Hankins was of the Christian Faith.

She used to love to go fishing, and she loved to cook and bake. She was a very giving person, and she put others before herself. She helped a lot of people and she lived her life to the fullest!

She married W. Wayne Hankins on April 16, 1949, in Morganfield, Kentucky, and he survives.

Other survivors include two children Ron Hankins and Debbie (Bobby) Woosley, all of Murphysboro;

five grandchildren Misty (Jim) Butler, Alison Hankins, Ryan (Lesley) Hankins, Billy (Amanda) Woosley, and Brent (Jacy) Woosley;

seven great grandchildren Taylor Hankins, Karlie Butler, Van Woosley, Cama Woosley, Lane Woosley, Dylan Hankins, and Maylie Woosley;

one nephew Kenneth (Georgia) Smith;

and many special friends including Sara, Sandy, Frances, and Quyen.

She was preceded in death by one daughter in law Deborah Hankins, four brothers Alfred, Wilburn O., Harold, and Raymond Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, November 18, 2018, at Pettett Funeral Home with Rev. Charles Allen and burial at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Care, 6228 Country Club Road, Murphysboro, IL 62966. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.