Stephanie Tonia Hawkes (nee Frye), 54, of Milford, Ohio, peacefully entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on July 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Stephanie was born on November 10, 1971, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Thomas Scott Frye and Alma Elaine Frye (nee McHenry), who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her beloved niece, Kelsey Renée Paterno.

Stephanie leaves behind her beloved husband, Jeffery Hawkes, and her two greatest joys, her sons, Maxwell and Zachary. She is also survived by her loving siblings: Karen Young (Marvin Stankeveh), Kevin Frye (Julie), Lisa Frye, Jon Frye (Mollie Emerick), and Scott Van Praag (Patty). She was a proud aunt to Ben Young, Emma Meinking (Vince), Jess Stankeveh (Loren), Noah Frye (Morgan Heyob), Lillian Frye and Jaxon Frye, along with many extended family members and dear friends who will forever treasure her memory.

A lifelong resident of Milford, Stephanie dedicated more than ten years of her career to Midland Atlantic Properties, where she served as a Lease Administration Manager. Throughout her career, she was highly respected for her professionalism and dedication.

Stephanie lived a life centered on serving others. She found great joy in volunteering as a Big Sister mentor. She enjoyed serving families through the Ronald McDonald House, and serving her time as President of the Kiwanis Club of Milford. She especially enjoyed preparing meals for families in need. These were only a few of the many ways she invested in her community.

She found happiness in life's simple pleasures. Stephanie was an avid reader, loved gardening, baking, cooking, and had a special place in her heart for animals. She was often the first to gather family and friends for lunch, dinner, or a weekend away. She truly valued and embraced her family and friends.

A tradition she treasured for many years, was the annual girls' trip to Cowan Lake. She often called it her "happy place," where laughter, friendship, and cherished memories were made.

Above all, Stephanie was a woman of deep and abiding faith. Her relationship with God was the foundation of her life and became an even greater source of strength throughout her illness. She found joy in attending church and participating in Bible study. Her unwavering trust in God was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Stephanie will be remembered for her kind heart, compassionate spirit, quiet strength, unwavering faith, infectious laugh and beautiful smile, as well as her ability to make others feel welcomed, valued, and loved. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched through her generosity, friendship, service, and love for her family.

Stephanie's greatest hope was that those she loved would come to know the same faith in Jesus Christ that carried her through every season of her life.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Stephanie's life during visitation on Friday, July 10, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home in Milford (741 Center Street). Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., also at Evans Funeral Home in Milford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Stephanie's memory to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, Ronald McDonald House, the League for Animal Welfare, the Kiwanis Club of Milford, Ohio, or the American Cancer Society- organizations that were near and dear to her heart.