Betty Jean Hawkins

Betty Jean Hawkins, affectionately known as “Betty Jean” was born July 31, 1961, in Clarksdale, Mississippi to Earthy Lee Hawkins and Betty Jean Hawkins-Lee.

Betty, an avid bible-reader, accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age at Greater First Apostolic Church. She received her education from Coahoma Agricultural High School. Her career path later led her to become a factory worker.              

Betty enjoyed reading her Bible, taking walks, watching crime shows, cooking, spending time with her family, talking on the phone with her children and siblings, cracking jokes and laughing. She loved the holidays and always looked forward to fellowship with her family. She loved her children deeply and always talked about them to everyone she met. She loved eating her daughter’s sweet potato pie and would only share a slice with her only son. Betty was friendly and loved by everyone that knew her because of her personality and sense of humor. She never met a stranger. She had a really big heart and was a giver, also very loving and caring towards all of her family and friends. Even though she resided in Clarksdale majority of her life, her second home was Milwaukee. 

Betty Jean finished her earthly journey on July 10, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earthy Hawkins and Betty Hawkins-Lee; a brother, Eartha Hawkins; and a sister, Gloria Hawkins. 

A memorial service will be held Saturday July 15, 2023, 2:30 PM at Royal Funeral Home, 507 Ashton Ave., Clarksdale, MS 38614.  Rev. Charlie C. Sykes will be the eulogist.  

Betty leaves to cherish her memories; three children that she loved dearly, one son, Melvin “Terrell” Hawkins of Clarksdale, MS, and two daughters, LaTonya Hawkins of Milwaukee, WI and Cherrell Hawkins of Collierville, TN; nine grand-children; Melvin Terrell Hawkins, Jr., Tiy-Keidra Robinson, Alexis Robinson, Chasidy Hawkins, Darrell Hawkins, Taraji Hawkins, Mel’Tavian Hawkins, Freddie Ragland, and Dantayvus Nicholson; three sisters, Erma Hawkins of Olive Branch, MS, Earnestine Hawkins-Papillion of Flint, Michigan and Shirley Powell of Lansing, Michigan; seven brothers, Jerry Hawkins (Lakeisha), Curtis Lee Hawkins (Lashanta), Hubert Lee Hawkins (Saretta), all of Clarksdale, MS; Cornelius Hawkins (Tomorro), Eric Hawkins (Nieisha), Robert Hawkins, all of Lansing, Michigan; and Leon Hawkins (Juanita) of Martin, TN; three great-grandchildren; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.