"Remembering Beverly Our Trend Setter”

Sis Beverly Faye Hawkins was born in Columbia, Tennessee on October 26, 1956, to the late Herman Gilbert Hawkins and the late Ponsella Duncan Hawkins. She transitioned into eternal peace on May 23, 2024.

She was educated in the Maury County School System and graduated with the class of 1974 from Columbia Central High School. She attended Middle Tennessee State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1980 with a double major in English and Psychology.

Beverly was baptized at a young age and learned to love the Lord. When she left for college, her father told her, “Wherever you go, girl, find a church.” She promised him that she would and throughout her life, she kept that promise.

Beverly was a loving person who never met a stranger. She loved meeting people and she loved everyone she met. She was one of those rare people who did not judge others. Most of all, she dearly loved her sisters. As the eldest child, she became a mother figure to her three sisters.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters Linda Kay and Pamela. While she didn’t have children, she helped raise her great-nephews Ny’kedrun, Jeremiah, and Darius

. She leaves to cherish her memory her sister: Sheryl Hawkins; her aunt Mae Duncan; her great-niece: Keshaena Fleming; loving and devoted cousin: Margarette Russell; Devoted Cousins: Sandra Pulce, Martha Hawkins, Evangelist Cornelia ( Oren) Philllians, and Barbara Simpson.She also leaves a host of beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews other relatives and friends.

One of the things that Beverly talked about the most was the importance of family. She would do anything for family -- and she defined family broadly. Thus, she leaves behind many devoted friends, including Rose Dotson, “Detective Cookie” (Denise Bouldin), and Teresa Thomas (the “sisterhood); John Wilson; Dennis Thomas; Elaine Douglas; Martha Clay; RoseMarie Lee; Selma Rosa; David Trainer; Mimi Hudson; Pastor Jill Bierwirth; and many more.

Beverly moved to Washington state in her 30s and loved it here.

She spent 15 years serving King County taxpayers at the Department of Assessments. She assisted taxpayers and coworkers with the joy of a servant’s hearts. She ignited the Department of Assessment’s Employee Giving program representing as the Ambassador, raising over 200k during her time as the Ambassador. She received numerous customer service awards for going beyond the call of duty. She shared her knowledge and passion for the job, life, and the Lord with everyone she encountered. Her positivity and approach to life are something that her work friends and peers will carry on for generations.

The King County Department of Assessments will be honoring Beverly yearly, through the Beverly HawkinsMemorial Employee Giving Program award.

Beverly was a prominent member of Richmond Beach Congregational-United Church of Christ. In Beverly’s words, “This church has been everything to me, a lifeline, a place of joy and solace and friendship, a place of learning about the Bible.” She sang in the choir, took roles in the RBCC Players musical productions, led the effort to make sandwiches for the hungry, and served on multiple committees.

Beverly’s volunteer work was legendary. For years, she supported Camp United We Stand, a homeless encampment, serving as the Board President for several of these years. For this work, she received the Human Services Champion Award from North Urban Human Services Alliance. They noted “Her sense of oneness with all the campers is boundless, and as a black woman helping campers who are mostly white, she also teaches them how to ignore the differences in people and focus on what they have in common – a need for safety, security, and at least minimal comfort, dignity, respect and a sense of community. This is her focus daily – not for herself, but for others.”

Celebration of Life and Memorial Service 

                   For 

Sis. Beverly Hawkins

Thursday July, 18 , 2024

        12:00 Noon

Roundtree, Napier, & Ogilvie’s Funeral Home

126 East 8th Street Columbia Tennessee 38401

Internment- Rosemount Cemetery

Roundtree, Napier & Ogilvie’s Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.