Kitty Hawkins

Neva Jean Wise was born May 4, 1928, in Dakota, Illinois. She was a graduate of Dakota High School. In the 1940s, Her love of music led her to become a country singer/songwriter and national recording artist under the stage name of "Kitty Hawkins" performing at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and WGN's National Barn Dance. She traveled nationally with her singing. She won the Country Music Festival award in CO, and the Country Music Star of Tomorrow in 1966 from the Country Music Association. Her most successful recording was "Good-Bye To Viet Nam", penned by Tom T. Hall, as an epilogue to his previous composition, "Hello Vietnam" (the "B" side of Hello Vietnam / Mexico City), recorded by Johnny Wright (2). She was a songwriter for many country artists of the 60's including The Wilburn Brothers. Upon retiring from her professional singing career, she continued singing God's praises at various churches and special events. Neva passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at Rockford (Illinois) Memorial Hospital.