Graveside services for Miyoko Nagata Hanes, 85, of Killeen will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen with Chaplain Sandra Hilliard officiating. Mrs. Hanes died June 16, 2015 at her home.
Miyoko was born March 21, 1930, to Mong and Kama Nagata in Kochinda, Okinawa. She was named by her father, ''Beautiful, generation to generation." Her parents and sister, Yoneko Nagata precede her in death.
Bert L. Hanes Jr. her husband of 33 years also preceded Miyoko. After decades of military service and travel, Sgt. Hanes retired in Killeen. He and Miyoko made their home in Killeen with their six children.
Miyoko loved all children and taught kindergarten in her village of Kochinda, Okinawa Japan. She was awarded by her village for her role as a translator during and after WWII. Her family lineage traces back to the 2nd Dynasty of the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa) to Sho Han Koku, sixth son of King Shosei. Her family is still known locally as the ''Castle People'' in relation to historic Shuri Castle, the seat of the Sho Dynasties.
Miyoko's interests were extensive: gardening, fishing, cooking, traveling and soap operas. Her fierce board game skills earned her the moniker, ''Tough Cookie''. She loved to "Win, Win, Win!"
Celebrating her life are daughter Nancy Mahoney, son-in-law, James Mahoney of Indiana; daughter Rose Lemmon and son-in-law Richard Lemmon of Georgia, son Richard Hanes of Texas, son Mitchell Hanes of Texas, daughter Maria Lee of Arizona, daughter Gloria Ward of Georgia, son-in-law, John Ward of GA. Brother, Isao Kawata, sister-in-law Sunoko Kawata, nephew, Hideki Kawata of Kochinda, Okinawa, Japan. Niece, Mayumi Tanaka of Tokyo, Japan. Sister-in-law, Kay McClain and brother-in-law, Harry McClain of Oklahoma.
Miyoko was ''Obaasan'' to ten grandchildren: Lisa Finchum of Indiana, Traci Meehan of Georgia, Amber Lemmon of Georgia, Vanessa Vaughan of Georgia, Jessica Brewer of Texas, Jonah Hanes of Texas, Jason Hanes of Arizona, Richard Lee of Arizona., Sarah Phillips of Okinawa, Japan, and Rachel Ward of Georgia.
Miyoko had 14 great grandchildren: Dylon Finchum-Green of Indiana, Colin and Ciara Meehan of GA, Atreyu, Noah, Gavin and Chloe Vaughn of Georgia, Charlotte Brewer of Texas, Isaac Hanes of Hawaii, Natalia Hanes of Arizona, Joseph and Maya Lee of AZ, Jude and Luke Phillips of Okinawa, Japan,
Beautiful, generation to generation: Miyoko is a blessed woman. She will be missed for her sharp wit and generosity of spirit.
Visitation is from 6-8pm Monday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Killeen.
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