Eloise Hawkins

Born April 3, 1930, she lived through the Depression, World War II and other skirmishes, and into the internet age. Not that she was familiar with the internet, mind you. After graduating from Paris High School, she met a fellow who had returned from the war named John Landrum Hawkins III. He was quickly smitten, as was she, and they soon married. They had two sons, Michael Lynn Hawkins and John Patrick Hawkins. When they were old enough to work, they went to work in the family service stations, making a career out of working with their parents and serving the Greenville community. Those service stations served Greenville County for over fifty years!

Eloise worked hard all her life before retiring as the owner of the last remaining family service station. She was not very good at retirement, so she began working at North Greenville University in the Facilities Department, from which she again retired several years before her death. If she had been able to get a ride, she would have kept working as she was never one to remain idle for long.

While she loved her sons with all her heart, she held a particular affinity for her grandchildren. Eloise had a tag for her car that said, “Ask Me About My Grandchildren,” an indication of her pride in her favorite job, grandmother. She was an incredible grandmother who always made her grandchildren feel loved and appreciated. Surviving her are her grandchildren Jonathan Hawkins (and his wife, Seaira), Amanda Eloise Hawkins, and Jack Hawkins (and his wife, Heather). They will surely miss their “Granny” and “Shortie.” She was like a second mother to all of them, and was always there to lend a helping hand whenever they needed. Her incredible impact on their lives can never be overstated. In fact, Jon and Seaira took care of her in her latter years in love and appreciation for all she had done for her family.

Thanks to her love and support, those grandchildren begat many great-grandchildren: Brianna Hawkins; Ethan Hawkins; Kaitlyn Hawkins; Derrick Hawkins; Breelyn Cantrell; Annistyn Cantrell; Jordyn Cantrell; William Hawkins; Ryan Hawkins; and Benjamin Hawkins. All of her great-grandchildren are now left with a hole from her absence, but have wonderful memories of a dear great-grandmother to last a lifetime.

As happens at times when one is blessed with the gift of a long and healthy life, Eloise was preceded in death by her beloved John Hawkins, and her sons, Mike and Pat. She is survived by Mike’s wife, Linda Hawkins, who was a wonderful friend and constant support in her latter years.

While only a royal funeral would befit this extraordinary woman, the family is honoring her wishes with a simple graveside service at Woodlawn Memorial Park, on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.