Pat Ruth

King Hawley

Patsy Ruth King Hawley (Pat) passed away peacefully in her home in Sweetwater on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the age of ninety-seven years.  Pat trusted God with her life here on Earth and with her immortal soul for eternity.

Per her wishes, there will be no memorial services but all who knew her are encouraged to celebrate her wonderful life on this Earth she cherished so much as you choose – raising a glass of your favorite drink in her memory would be quite appropriate.

Pat was born on October 24, 1928 in Fulbright, Texas to Norris and Fern Burrus King.  She, her parents and older brother (Bob. B. King) moved to Sweetwater when the children were in elementary school.  On April 27, 1947, Pat married Bradley B. Hawley (Bernie) – the love of her life (and her of his).  After eleven years of marriage, their only child (Brad) was born and their dream of raising a family together became a reality.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother.  She is survived by her son and his wife (Angela), her grandsons Yates (wife Anne) and Carson (wife Claire), four great grandchildren (Phil and Mary Margaret Hawley and Hayden and Maren Hawley) and her sister-in-law (Grace King).

Pat had a zest for life and living that was unrivaled.  She poured herself into every endeavor undertaken whether it involved family, friends, politics, people in need, her community, the arts, dancing, cooking or walking/stretching as well as her many pets (cats and box turtles in particular), birds, wildlife and all other living creatures that she loved and tried to protect, feed and nurture.

In her later years, many hours were devoted each day to her treehouse and the search of local lakes and salvage yards for things that interested her (rocks, driftwood, rusted metal, broken glass and the like with heart-shaped finds being particularly special) to create truly unique works of art that were so personally satisfying to her.  She rarely shared her treasures except with those she trusted and loved the most.  The many things she created and otherwise surrounded herself with became a museum of her collective experiences and what she called her soul.

Pat requested to be cremated so that her remains could return to her Earth.  A part of her will always be at Bernie's side, Lake Sweetwater, Lake Trammell and Santa Fe, New Mexico. As such a lover of nature, she believed that death was the proper way for nature to renew itself, just as we cannot experience the green buds of spring without the dead leaves of winter falling to the ground.

A reminder to all – "Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day…unseen, unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear."  Pat will always be with us cheering us on and wanting us to find joy, imploring us to take care of ourselves and others and to do unto others as  we would have them do unto us.  She is now at peace and we trust always ready for one more dance or a sip (or two) of champagne.

Special thanks are reserved for the many friends, neighbors, nurses and caregivers who assisted with making Pat comfortable in her home the past five years.  The dedication and caring of all involved is sincerely appreciated by the extended Hawley family, and we apologize for not naming everyone individually due to our concern for leaving some deserving person unrecognized.  For those so desiring, the family suggests memorial gifts be sent in memory of Pat to the Nolan County-City Library, 206 Elm Street, Sweetwater, Texas 79556, the Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium, P.O. Box 584, Sweetwater, Texas 79556 or the National WASP WWII Museum, 210 Avenger Field Road, Sweetwater, Texas 79556.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.