Irene Votaw Hankins, 75, of Beaumont, died Friday, February 27, 2015, at Silsbee Convalescent Center. She was born on June 18, 1939, at Hotel Dieu in Beaumont, to Ruby Revia Votaw and Lewis Votaw, and had been a long time resident of the area.

Irene was a member of Vidor High School graduating Class of 1957, where she participated in the high school marching band. In past years, she had been a troop leader for Camp Fire Girls, played piano for different churches in the Southeast Texas area, and had been active in her church, Freedom Christian Fellowship, in Groves. She loved gardening, reading, and most of all; Irene loved her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Steven Paul Hankins and his wife, Betsy, of Cibolo; Jimmy Andrew Hankins, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Karen Gayle Hankins, of Village Mills; and Ruth Anne Blanchard and her husband, Burton, of Kountze; grandchildren, Carrisa Nicole Britnell; Kayla Gwen Britnell; Emma Kathleen Hankins; William Everett Hankins; Griffin Ford Hankins; Isaiah Lee Blanchard and his fiancée, Casey Myers; Jordan Lee Blanchard; and Benjamin Lee Blanchard; great-grandchildren, Savannah Nicole Graham, Miley Britnell, and Daniel Lee DeBord; step-granddaughter, Susan Michelle Willingham; step-great-granddaughter, Susan Elise Dougherty; and step-great-great-grandson, Logan Scott Hinkle.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lewis Haynes Votaw, Jr.; sister, Rebecca Smith; and daughter-in-law, Collette Hankins.

A memorial service for Ms. Hankins’ will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Westgate Memorial Baptist Church, 6220 Westgate Drive, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A private committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to R.C. Miller Library, 1605 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706