Lenel "Nel" Hawkins

Lenel “Nel” Hawkins, age 88, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025. She was born in Wisner, Louisiana on December 19, 1936, to the late William Green and Leola Britt Green.

Lenel was the third of eleven children and grew up on a small cotton farm. She married Bill Hawkins in 1957 and was a devoted Air Force wife, living in 20 different locations over the duration of her life. They were married for 55 years and had one son, Kenney, who was the pride and joy of her life.

For over five decades, Lenel was a devoted member of Second Baptist Church in Warner Robins. She was an active participant in the church’s nursery program and part of the Vera Merritt Sunday School Class. Her willingness to serve whenever needed reflected the strength of her faith and her heart for others.

Lenel was a woman of many talents. She was a gifted seamstress and served by sewing for the public with dedication and care. Lenel also had a passion for reading, music, and dancing, and enjoyed traveling the country with her husband. She had a sharp eye for finding a good bargain and had a love for shopping. Yet, her greatest joy came from her relationship with Jesus.

Lenel’s passing leaves a deep hole in the hearts of all who knew her. She is survived by her beloved family, friends, and church community. Her spirit of kindness, generosity, and unwavering faith will be greatly missed by all who were touched by her life.

In addition to her parents, Lenel was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Hawkins “Bill”; son, Kenneth W. Hawkins, and siblings, Adele Snider, Juanita Herron, Bobbie Jean Landers, Melba Winn, Leta Bueto, William Green, Beverly Green and Danny Russell Green.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her granddaughter, Olivia Hawkins Wallace (Kevin) of Atlanta; daughter-in-law, Patti Hawkins of Stockbridge; siblings, Ruth Crawford (Jerry) and Sidney Green (Toni); as well as a host of nieces, nephews, several other beloved extended family members and friends in Louisiana, Michigan and New York.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, Lenel will be laid to rest next to her husband in Magnolia Park Cemetery.

The family of Lenel would like to extend their sincere thanks to Alison & Sandy for the exceptional care given to Lenel for the last 11 years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Lenel Hawkins to Happy Hour Service Center for developmentally disabled adults. Checks can be mailed to 202 N. Davis Dr., Warner Robins, Georgia 31093. https://www.happyhourservicecenter.org/donate/

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.

Go to www.mcculloughfh.com to sign the Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.