Joan Eastwood Hawkins

Born to Ernest O. and Ruth Saulman Eastwood on June 22, 1930 in Akron, Ohio. She was affectionately known as Mama, Muz, and Muffin. She and her late husband owned and operated D & D Produce on Terry Road in Jackson, MS.

Born on the brink of the Great Depression she was an extraordinary woman who overcame adversity in her young adult life and never wavered from her relationship with the Lord. If her life were a tapestry, it would be knitted together with the finest of threads, at times tightly woven, strong, and faithful. But at times, it would be tattered and torn because the world can be harsh. She faced adversity with dignity, and her head held high.

She never failed to tell her family no matter how near or far they were from her that she would “leave the light on.” Her family was drawn to that light all her life. It was a beacon of solace in times of great sorrow and desperation, and a spotlight of glory to celebrate the big and small milestones of life. Her home was a place of refuge, as she fully embodied the spirit of “you can always go home.”

Her legacy will live on in the lives of those she poured life into. Generations of the family will continue to pour into their children wisdom, love for the Lord, hold your head high attitude even when all the chips are down, and an unconditional love that knows no bounds. As she would often say in the presence of family, with a tear in her eye, “I am drinking from the saucer today” because, she would say, “my cup runneth over.”

She is preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, David L. Hawkins, daughter Debra Whaley, and grandsons, Anthony Hawkins, David Ray Carter and Woodie Mitchell Jr. She is survived by her brother Ernest O. “Red” Eastwood (Joyce); children: Cheri Bullard (Gary), D. Alan Hawkins (Gail); Pamela Mitchell (Woodie); Daynelle Lee (Ken); and Flo Carter Gaskill. Her grandchildren Brian Bullard (Samantha), Sean Bullard; Nikki Glidewell (Cory); Alice Schonewitz (Jeff); Robert Mahaffey (Penny); Victoria Larose (Louis); Natalie Hawkins (Troy); Emily Okamoto (Seiji); Tyler Lee (JoBeth), Kendal Lee (Amy); Mark Carter (Amy), Holly Carter, 33 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 12:00 pm, Service beginning at 1:00 pm at Lakewood Funeral Home, Jackson, MS with graveside at Lakewood Memorial Park, Jackson, MS.

Pallbearers are her grand and great-grandchildren: Brian Bullard, Robert Mahaffey, Sean Bullard, Tyler Lee, Kendal Lee, and Jackson Bullard.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to UAB Division of Pediatric Nephrology https://www.childrensal.org/services/nephrology

Levi’s Legacy in support of families of Children with Congenital Heart Disease https://thelevilegacy.org/donate/