Dr. Mary Elizabeth Hawkins

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Hawkins, 78, passed away on April 7,2015 at her home in Flora, MS. Funeral services will be held Friday April 10,2015 at 11:00 AM at Parkway Funeral Home Ridgeland, MS with visitation from 9:00am till 11:00am prior to the service. Graveside services and burial will be held at 4:00pm at Garden of Memories in New Orleans, LA. The Reverend Ralph W. Hawkins, her nephew, will officiate both services.

Mary Hawkins was born July 6, 1936 in New Orleans to Ralph and Pauline Hawkins. She attended Robert E. Lee Grammar School and Fourchette High School in New Orleans. Dr. Hawkins received her B.S. Degree from MSCW (now MUW) in 1957, before earning her M.D. from LSU School of Medicine (New Orleans) in 1963. Following internship and residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Dr. Hawkins entered OB/GYN private practice in Jackson.

Dr. Hawkins was one of the founders of Woman’s Hospital, as well as Chief of Staff. She retired from active practice in 1999 and became an OB/GYN Assistant Professor at UMC, staffing the Specialty Clinics in the Jackson Medical Mall. She was a member of the American College of OB/GYN, as well as numerous local and national societies.

Mary greatly enjoyed playing bass in band Tom, Tom, Dave & Mary, and for many years participated in women’s softball in Jackson. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to the caring of adopted pets, especially unwanted and special needs dogs, whom she believed would all be waiting for her “across the rainbow bridge.” In later years, Mary added cats and horses to her menagerie at her farm in Madison County.

Dr. Hawkins was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother John Hawkins, Sr. She is survived by; the love of her life her spouse, Jan Hart, as well as her extended family, including niece Sarah Ross and nephews, Jack and Ralph Hawkins; great-nieces Michelle Hawkins, Ainsley Ross, and Ella Hawkins; and great-nephews Andrew Ross, John Hawkins III, and Lonnie Hawkins.

Memorials may be made to the Madison Ark (Animal Rescue Kennel), Animal Rescue League, MUW Scholarship Fund, and/or the church of your choice.