Julia L. Hoskins
1927-2013
Julia Lee (Cummings) Hoskins, 86, of St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, July 14, 2013 at Heartland Regional Medical Center.
Julia was born on May 25, 1927 to Worthy Hunter Cummings and Julia Elizabeth (Jeffries) Cummings. She resided in St. Joseph throughout her grade school years, where she attended Neely Elementary School. During her 7th grade year, she and her family moved to Washington, D.C. so her father could help in the war effort by working as a precision builder of Navy Battleships. While in Washington, Julia’s love of music of music and language flourished. Although she already knew how to play the piano, she began studying the harp with one of the city’s most demanding harp teachers. She loved to tell how her instructor did not trust the skills of any of the other area’s harpists, so he played at his own wedding and when finished, ran to the altar to be married. Julia Lee also excelled at languages. She won Washington, D.C.’s city wide French award for outstanding high school students. In addition, she became close friends with her Latin instructor, who even came to visit Julia after she returned to St. Joseph.
When Julia was a junior in high school her family returned to St. Joseph. She attended Central High School and assisted with the chemistry lab. Her study of science paid off. She was named as a Westinghouse Scholar in her senior year. She also received a scholarship to Purdue University. However, she turned it down and attended St. Joseph Junior College so she could remain in St. Joseph close to the love of her life, Raymond Hoskins. She met him while working at her family’s restaurant, The Drive-Inn, on King Hill Avenue. In 1947, they were married. 6 years later, they had their only daughter, Allison Hoskins-Thorne. Allison was the lucky recipient of her mother’s other skills and talents. Julia used her sewing skills to copy many of the fashions of the day for her daughter. In addition, Julia loved to decorate cakes and cookies and utilized this talent as room mother on numerous occasions.
Throughout her life, Julia remained interested in politics, auctions, antiques and anything that her grandchildren did. She was always her family’s staunchest supporter and greatest cheerleader. She never tired of hearing of their adventures and accomplishments. Her loss leaves an overwhelming void in the lives of those who knew and loved her.
Julia was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Raymond Hoskins and son-in-law, Graham Thorne.
Surviving family includes daughter, Allison Thorne, grandchildren, Blake Thorne and Devon Kariker (William Kariker), great-granddaughter, Sloane Kariker, all of St. Joseph; brother, Worthy Cummings, Jr., of Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services 1:00 PM Friday, July 19, 2013 at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel.
Interment Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Friday.