Mrs. Willa Jean Hawkins

HAWKINS, Mrs. Willa Jean - Age 87, passed Saturday, October 21, 2023, at her residence. Family hour 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave, with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Stephen Murphy, Host Pastor, Rev. Dr. Carlos D. Williams, Eulogist. Entombment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, 9506 N. Dort Hwy., Mt. Morris, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Wednesday. Mrs. Hawkins will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Tuesday. Willa Jean Hawkins was born on January 15, 1936 in Marked Tree, Arkansas, the eldest of two children born to Willie Junior and Bernyce Hughes Junior. Willa attended Parkland Elementary, Emerson Jr. High and graduated from old Flint Northern in 1953. She earned a journalism scholarship to Eastern Michigan University but decided to attend Michigan State University. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from MSU in 1957 and began working for the Flint Public Schools in September 1957. She later earned her Master's degree from Eastern Michigan University. She began her career at Clark school as an Instructional Specialist. She served in this position for three years. She served her final 17 years as an educator at Bunche Elementary school, ultimately ending her career in education in 1990, as the principal of Bunche. Thanks to the UAW and John M. Epps, Willa attended the March on Washington and heard Dr. Martin Luther King deliver his "I Have A Dream" speech. His speech motivated Willa to become active in community issues. Soon thereafter, Floyd J. McCree was selected by his fellow councilmen to serve as Mayor of the City of Flint. Floyd wanted housing to be available in any area, that any person could afford, to be available to Blacks. Willa helped to lead a sleep-in on the lawn of Flint City Hall. This issue led to the creation of the Community Civic League which worked to pass an Open Occupancy Ordinance. Willa served on the following boards: Community Mental Health, Chair of Valley Area Agency on Aging (VAAA), New Paths and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. She also served as Chairperson of the Genesee County Democratic Party and as Genesee County Commissioner of the second district, following the death of Sylvester Broome, Jr. Willa was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Links, Inc., Delta Kappa Gamma and a long time devoted member of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle. She was awarded the Sojourner Truth award by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club. She was also a board member in the Victorious Christian Women in Flint. Her most memorable award was given to her in 2018 at the former Bunche Elementary School. It was the joint naming of the Virtual Library and Family Literacy Center. With Willa's many accomplishments her fondest memories are looking back at the success of her former students. Willa Jean Hawkins leaves to cherish her memory: children, William “Mitch” Hawkins and Kimberly Marable; grandchildren, Winter Hawkins and Monte Marable; god-children, Mance Broome, Vickie Broome, Kyle “Dundi” Odom and Trayce Epps; close friends, Dorothy Hitts, Ruth Ashburn, Roberta McGowan, Joyce Jones, Sandra Epps, Thelma Watson, Valaria Conerly-Moon and Gail Odom. Willa was preceded in death by her loving husband, Elmer “Fudd” Hawkins; brother, Willie Dennis Junior; and her parents, Willie and Bernyce Junior. Please forgive us if we left anyone out. You all left a special place in her heart and we thank you from the bottom of ours. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Carlos Williams and Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Stephen Murphy Sr. and Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Flint Area Links and Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home

Mrs. Willa Jean Hawkins

January 15, 1936 - October 21, 2023