Earlene Hawkins Owens

Earlene was born to Lillie Faye Johnson Hawkins and Earl Robert Hawkins in Mumford, Texas. She graduated from Blackshear High School as the Salutatorian for the Class of 1964 of Hearne. A brilliant student, she earned a full scholarship to Baylor University. Always the devoted mother, however, Earlene took the scholarship’s promise and repurposed it into raising her children, a testament to her profound sacrifice. As a working parent, she launched her remarkable career serving and benefiting others. She started WIC programs in the Brazos County area, and over the next 2 decades, opened additional programs in Hearne, Huntsville, Centerville, Navasota and Madisonville. She became Administrator of these programs though perseverance, dedication, and the desire to make life better for other women and their children. The second act of Earlene’s brilliant career came in auto sales. The legendary Richard Lucas hired Earlene as the first woman of color in his auto sales empire in Navasota. She was wildly successful over her 25 years in the industry, gaining a stellar reputation and her workplace nickname “Big Earl”, a reference to her larger-than-life success and persona. A woman of unparalleled energy, Earlene always owned and operated her own businesses selling shoes, purses, and jewelry.

Earlene was truly a force of nature who worked persistently to succeed professionally and personally. A woman of indominable spirit and work ethic, nothing could stop her. She told her children often, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat” and “You can’t wait on someone to do something for you, you have to do it yourself”. While she instilled a strong spirit in her children, she was always available to love and care for her family and friends. She was a marvelous listener and an engaging conversationalist who could talk for hours. Everyone in her circle knew that all you had to do was reach out and Earlene would be right there to offer assistance and advice. As a woman known to speak her mind, we all knew we would hear the unvarnished truth from Momma.

Earlene was a woman who liked to be outside and took great pride in her single-handed maintenance of her beautiful yard and garden. Few things delighted her more than opportunities to operate her son-in-law’s riding lawnmowers. She was also an avid crafter, and many have enjoyed her heart-felt, hand-made creations over the years. Earlene was also a true Dallas Cowboys fan. From the glory days to the rebuilding seasons, she stood by her Boys in the same way she stood by those she loved, faithfully and without compromise. If shopping was a career, Momma would have been a CEO. She loved shoes and clothes. Family and friends knew to be dressed in their best when visiting her. If someone showed up not meeting her expectations, Earlene would put them in her car and head to the mall. She also was a life-long member of the Blackshear Alumni Committee and participated in many events over the years.

Earlene’s greatest passion, however, was her family. She was the mother of Angelia, Lisa, Julya, James and Cedric. The ultimate Mom, she wanted only the best for her children and grandchildren of whom she was immensely proud. She answered late night phone calls and served as a guiding light whenever her kids needed her. She was her children’s biggest cheerleader, offering unwavering love, support, and enthusiasm that continued long after they were grown. Her love of family continued to her extended family, her many friends, and countless “children” whom she took in along the way. She will be remembered as the heart and soul of our family whose love and encouragement shaped who we grew to become.

Earlene was preceded in death by her parents Lillie Faye and Earl Robert Hawkins; her sons James Moore II and Cedric Moore; great-grandsons Jayden Benford, Jaylen Lawson-Moore, and Jordan Lawson-Moore; sisters, Deborah Hawkins-Jenkins, Dorothy Albright and Pearlie Jean Lee.

Earlene is survived by her daughters Angelia Kinney (husband Christopher), Lisa Moore, and Julya Moore- Lawson ( husband Shawn); her grandchildren Rebecca Barrera-Manthei (and husband Allan), Jasmine Ballard ( husband Jonathan), Amberial Benford (husband Edward Day), Candice Benford, Jason Benford, Jr., Shawn Lawson, Jr., Keith Humber, Jr, Michael Lawson-Moore, Justyce Lawson, Troynai Fondren-Kinney, and Deshaun Crouch-Kinney; nineteen great-grandchildren; brothers, James Hawkins, Norman Hawkins and Arthur Charles Hawkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Heather and TJ from Rotech Oxygen, Hanna from Accent Care, Jackie, Margie and Emmy and all of her other caregivers that helped with our mom.

Earlene Owens was a soldier and a warrior. She was a supportive, loving mother who worked and lived in the shadows so her girls could glow. And she did it all in cute outfits and nice shoes. We know this is how she would want us all to remember her.