Ethel Mae Hawkins

Ethel Mae Hawkins, 87 years old, died Thursday, January 9, 2014. She was the oldest born on August 18, 1926, to Mr. Rudy Williams, Sr. and Mrs. Nora Hargrove Williams in Thomaston, Texas, DeWitt County. She was reared in Thomaston and received her education in the DeWitt County Schools.

At an early age she professed a hope in Christ and was baptized by Rev. A. J. Thomas and united with the Mt. Bethany Baptist Church at Thomaston. She served there very faithfully.

In 1942 she was united in Holy Matrimony to Robert Barnes, Jr., and to their union five children were born.

In later year upon moving to Victoria she united with the New Hope Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. A. Wade.

Still later, she married James Hawkins and moved her membership to Mt. Nebo Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. F. J. Hobbs, Sr.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Hawkins, and three children, Laure J. Garley, Verna Hall and Earnest Barnes.

She leaves cherished memories to two daughters: Lenora (John) Barefield of Port Lavaca and Peggy Franklin of North Richland Hills, Texas; two sisters: Halean Dickerson of Texas City and Alma Barefield of Victoria; one brother: Joe Frank Williams of Victoria; 20 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 30 great great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family received friends from 6:00 – 8:00 pm Friday, January 17, 2014, at Rosewood Funeral Chapels.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 am Saturday, January 18, 2014, at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Rev. Fred Hobbs officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Stanley Robison, Rogers L. Franklin, Jr., Bobby J. Allen, Andrew Cunningham, Gilbert Hall, Darryl Williams, Jeremy Clay, James D. Cunningham, Ebony Farrow, Alicia Tilley and Erica Allen.

Honorary pallbearers will be J. C. Mathis, Everett Brown, James Tippins, Mikeral W. Franklin, Clifton J. Garley, Sr., Willie F. Barefield, Ernie Lee Hill, Joe Frank Williams, Bryan Garley, Roderick Tilley, Clifton J. Garley, Jr., Michael Barefield, Willie (Norvel) Franklin and Leslie Green.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.