Jerry Lee Hawver

On Friday September 1, 2023, Jerry Lee Hawver was released from his long struggle with dementia. We deeply miss the sparkle in his eye, his generous spirit, and steady presence in our lives, but we know he's in a better place, restored by God's grace. He was born October 1, 1942 in Halstead, Kansas to the late Melvin Walter Hawver and Emma Viola Potter Hawver. Jerry was a star athlete who graduated from Topeka High School and Washburn University where he lettered in football, track, and basketball. When he wasn't practicing sports, he helped manage a small grocery store.

Jerry was a man of strong character who looked out for his four sisters and mom and took care of those in need. Jerry's work ethic, fabulous people skills, and firm negotiating tactics helped him excel at Proctor and Gamble where he had a successful thirty-three-year career as a district sales manager selling many, many cases of Folger's coffee.

Jerry met the love of his life, Rosemary Ann Ollenberger, at Washburn University. The couple, who were married for 59 years, raised their family in Fort Worth, Texas and Louisville, Kentucky before settling in Charlotte, where Jerry cultivated a large circle of friends in the Park Crossing neighborhood, on the Ballantyne golf course, over poker and bridge nights, and as an elder at South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church. He loved spending time with his two grandchildren, including weeks at the beach on Isle of Palms in South Carolina.

We picture him in heaven earnestly tidying the kitchen, gathering up unattended drinking glasses, dancing, crooning, giving bear hugs, and sneaking candy whenever the opportunity arises. A special thank you to Charles Edwards, M.D. and the staff of Memory and Movement Center and the caregivers at Brookdale South Park who cared for Jerry and appreciated his zest for life as he moved towards this transition.

Jerry Lee Hawver is survived by his loving wife, Rosemary Hawver; children, Neil Hawver and Alison Hawver McDowell; devoted daughter-in-law, Lisa Brzostowski Hawver; grandchildren, Chloe Hawver and Ry McDowell; and sisters, Diane Richmond and Carol Slavin.

A service to celebrate and honor his life will be Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 11:00 am at South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church, 8601 Bryant Farms Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive guests following the service.