Mrs. Catherine Gracie Hawkins

She was born in the Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C., to the late Eddie Battle and Mary E. Battle. Catherine was one of six children born to this union and she received her early education in Nashville, North Carolina where she completed high school. She moved back to Washington, DC where she attended nursing school and graduated from Burdick Vocational school.

She went on to attend other classes and earned many other certificates in the field of nursing. During her work career, she worked for many local hospitals in the DMV including Washington Hospital Center. She retired from nursing in 2013. Catherine accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at an early age, at Social Union Baptist Church in Nashville, N.C. She attended several other churches in the DC area, and decided to follow in the footsteps of her mother and joined Florida Avenue Baptist church under Rev. Dr. Earl D. Trent Jr.

Catherine was a devoted mother, daughter and sister and was committed to her family. She assisted in the care of her mother until her passing in 2013. She has always been there for all her siblings, nieces, and nephews. Catherine loved reading her bible early in the morning, watching movies, taking long walks, and of course keeping up with the current news. Catherine was married to the late Gerald Hawkins until their divorce.

Catherine leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved son Kenneth Hawkins of Washington, D.C., One sister Lucy Straite, a brother-in-law Samuel Straite, of Ft. Washington, Maryland. Sister-in-law, Dale Battle of Washington, D.C., her devoted nieces and nephews Cynthia Smith, Edward Tonic Jr., Sabrina

Henderson (Henry), Anthony Straite (Sheena), Frederick Battle (Brenda), Charmayne Battle, Derwin Straite, Elmira Lee (Robert) and Cheree Sloan (Robert). Proceeding her in death, her father Eddie Battle, her mother Mary Battle, Sisters, Helen Tonic, Maxine Simmons, Alice Battle-Cooks, brother Eddie McCarthy Battle and one niece Stephanie McRae. She also leaves to mourn devoted cousins, a dear sister-in-law Janice Hawkins and a host of friends and other relatives.

In Memory of Catherine

A light from our family is gone, A voice we loved is still, A place is vacant in our hearts, That can never be filled.

We must mourn the loss of one we would've loved to keep, but God who loved her best has called her home to rest.

After a lifetime of her love and Joy and laughter to fill our ears.

God leaves us with these beautiful memories, to help us through our tears.

THE FAMILY