Carolye Rita Hawkins
December 21st, 1929 - September 7th, 2022
Share Book of Memories with a Friend
Please enter the name and email details so that we can send your friend a link to the online tribute. No names or addresses will be collected by using this service.
Carolye's Obituary
Carolye Rita Hawkins of Covert, Michigan, was called to her Heavenly home peacefully on Wednesday September 7, 2022, with a Guardian Angel by her side. Carolye was born December 21, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois to Quincy and Carrie (Lewis) Banks. She was united in marriage to Sylvester A. Hawkins on October 28, 1951. They shared 51 years of marriage before his passing on July 22, 2003.
Carolye was a graduate of Covert High School in 1948 and was honored as one of the Hall of Fame recipients. She later attended Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan obtaining an Associate degree and furthered her educational endeavors obtaining two Master’s Degrees in education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Carolye worked in Covert Public School District for 25 years as a teacher and was the Reading Specialist in elementary education when she retired in 1992.
Carolye was very involved in volunteer work and community endeavors including, Church Women United; Covert Township Community Foundation – Trustee; NAACP-Covert; Van Buren Civic Organization; Covert Historical Museum, Covert Public School Hall of Fame Board, Red Hat Ladies organization, South Haven Hospital Auxiliary Board - Trustee, a life-long member Covert Community Church, where she was the pianist for over 60 years and also served as the Church Treasurer until her health declined; Partnership in Hawkins-Maggard & Son Blueberry farm and a member of the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association.
Carolye leaves to cherish her memories her four children: Cynthia Marie (Charles) Morgan of Troy, Michigan; Gail Lynette Moody of Covert, Michigan; Paula Annette (Melvin) Linsey of Atlanta, Georgia; Steven (Daphne) Hawkins of Ypsilanti, Michigan, her seven grandchildren; Danielle, Carlos, Dana, Danita, Aaron, Khara and Devon, six great grandchildren; Tyler, Christian, Aiden, Ashlynn, Ashtyn and Axl, a special niece/sister: Charlyne Normand, one sister-in-law: Phyllis Walker, two brother-in-laws: Glover Dandridge and Alfred (Marie-Esperanza) Hawkins, two special Angels/Caregivers: Phyllis Wilson and Sherry Broady, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Carolye is preceded in death by her parents Quincy and Carrie Banks, husband, Sylvester A. Hawkins, and her four sisters, Thelma Edmondson; Elizabeth McReynolds; Lucille Thomas; and Delores Dandridge.
A Wake will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Services will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022 starting with Family hour at 11:00 a.m. and Funeral Service immediately after at 12:00 p.m. at Lily of the Valley Church in Covert, Michigan. Bishop Darryl K. Williams will be officiating and Eulogy by Bishop Melvin Burton of Refreshing Fountains Outreach Ministry of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.starksfamilyfh.com
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Chapel- Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.
Carolye was a graduate of Covert High School in 1948 and was honored as one of the Hall of Fame recipients. She later attended Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan obtaining an Associate degree and furthered her educational endeavors obtaining two Master’s Degrees in education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Carolye worked in Covert Public School District for 25 years as a teacher and was the Reading Specialist in elementary education when she retired in 1992.
Carolye was very involved in volunteer work and community endeavors including, Church Women United; Covert Township Community Foundation – Trustee; NAACP-Covert; Van Buren Civic Organization; Covert Historical Museum, Covert Public School Hall of Fame Board, Red Hat Ladies organization, South Haven Hospital Auxiliary Board - Trustee, a life-long member Covert Community Church, where she was the pianist for over 60 years and also served as the Church Treasurer until her health declined; Partnership in Hawkins-Maggard & Son Blueberry farm and a member of the Michigan Blueberry Growers Association.
Carolye leaves to cherish her memories her four children: Cynthia Marie (Charles) Morgan of Troy, Michigan; Gail Lynette Moody of Covert, Michigan; Paula Annette (Melvin) Linsey of Atlanta, Georgia; Steven (Daphne) Hawkins of Ypsilanti, Michigan, her seven grandchildren; Danielle, Carlos, Dana, Danita, Aaron, Khara and Devon, six great grandchildren; Tyler, Christian, Aiden, Ashlynn, Ashtyn and Axl, a special niece/sister: Charlyne Normand, one sister-in-law: Phyllis Walker, two brother-in-laws: Glover Dandridge and Alfred (Marie-Esperanza) Hawkins, two special Angels/Caregivers: Phyllis Wilson and Sherry Broady, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Carolye is preceded in death by her parents Quincy and Carrie Banks, husband, Sylvester A. Hawkins, and her four sisters, Thelma Edmondson; Elizabeth McReynolds; Lucille Thomas; and Delores Dandridge.
A Wake will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Services will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022 starting with Family hour at 11:00 a.m. and Funeral Service immediately after at 12:00 p.m. at Lily of the Valley Church in Covert, Michigan. Bishop Darryl K. Williams will be officiating and Eulogy by Bishop Melvin Burton of Refreshing Fountains Outreach Ministry of Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.starksfamilyfh.com
The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Chapel- Starks Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. 269-637-0333.
Service Details
View the current service details below. Sign up for email or text updates to receive notifications of any changes to service schedules or important information.