Clara Louise Hawkins was born in Kosciusko, MS on September 12, 1941, to George and Metrice Gladney. She shared her parents’ love with 13 sisters and brothers. She attended Little Hill School through junior high and Attala County Training High School, graduating in May 1958. She attended Mississippi Industrial College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She took several other courses: Modern Mathematics, Basic Supervision, Public Service training and other courses that assisted her in succeeding in her careers. Her career journey began as an elementary school teacher and continued for 5 years in the state of MS.
She moved to California and began working for the Los County Office of the Assessor, located in downtown Los Angeles for over 36 years, where she excelled and retired as a Head Clerk.
On May 9, 1968, Clara and Vernon Hawkins were joined in holy matrimony and purchased their first home in Compton, CA. They raised their 3 daughters: Katherine, Felicia, and Veronica in a Christian environment and taught them the importance of having a sound relationship with the Lord.
She was a working mother, but she was committed to preparing a homemade dinner every day. Her family was always a priority and the love and kindness she showed was immeasurable.
She was a member of Double Rock Baptist Church for many years, where she served as a Deaconess. Serving came very easy to her and she was always helping someone, whether it was in the church or outside the church. She developed a servant heart at an early age as she was able and willing to assist her mother with her younger siblings. She offered words of wisdom to many visiting young adults that were in and out of her home. These lessons came in the form of songs, testimonies, and sometimes a story.
Clara’s sweet spirit will be remembered by her husband of 54 years, Vernon, her siblings: Pearlie Mae, Leroy, and Allie Mae. She was preceded in death by 10 of her siblings : Vanuel, W.B., George Edward, Wade Harvey, Hazel, Zeather, Elester, George Dan, Jr., Willie James, and Carrie Lucille. She also leaves 3 children: Katherine, Felicia (Brian) and Veronica, 7 grandchildren: Briana (Randy), Brandon, Brison, Amari, Sarai, Jaime, Joy, and 1 great grandchild: DeShawn. In addition, a host of nieces and nephews. We will always remember her newspapers spread out on the dining room table and her clipping coupons with her beloved Lakers playing in the background, she was the world’s best Tang maker, and she was The black CNN giving us weekly news reports, We’ll remember hearing her sing Going up yonder and quoting the 23rd Psalm. She was the queen of store returns, and she always made the teeny tiniest pan of stuffing for Thanksgiving so we all had to fight to be first in line. She will also be missed by other relatives and friends.
She was a woman of conviction. A woman of prayer. A woman of unwavering faith. Hers was a life well lived.
