Betty L. Hawkins, 90, of East Palatka, passed from this life on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital following a brief illness. She was born in Boaz, Alabama but, she grew up in Sycamore, Alabama until she married, and they moved to Florida. She has resided in Putnam County since 1962 coming from Port St. Joe, Florida. Betty had retired from the Putnam County District School System where she had worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Special Education Department. Her first employment was with Floyd & Beasley Trucking Company in Sycamore, Alabama and after moving to Florida she worked in the offices of Pounds Produce. Being one of the founding members of Christ Independent Methodist Church, much of Betty’s life was centered around her service and devotion to the church, including her being one of the founders of the Women’s Spiritual Life Retreat and many other church committees. In her leisure time as a young adult, Betty had enjoyed bowling and playing cards which, she still loved to do especially with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Walter Lewis Hawkins, her parents, Emmett, and Bertha Aleese Liner and 3 brothers, Melvin Liner, James Liner, and William “Billy” Liner.
Betty is survived by 2 sons, Walter Lewis Hawkins, Jr. (Janel) of Ocala and Keith Hawkins (Tresa) of Perry, Florida, 5 grandchildren, Walter Lewis Hawkins, III (Lluvia), Brian Keith Hawkins (Colleen), Jana Michele O’Neal (Brad), Kevin Christopher Hawkins and Megan Michele Raymond (Mark) and 12 great-grandchildren, Brayden Hawkins, Connor Hawkins, Dylan Hawkins, Janae O’Neal, Cody Hawkins, Aubrie Hawkins, Daniel Cantu, Cameron O’Neal, Kaitlyn Hawkins, Kylie Hawkins, Isabella Cantu, and Thomas Raymond.
Services celebrating Betty’s life will be at 11:00 A.M.on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Christ Independent Methodist Church with Pastor Matt Huntley and Bro. Michael Hudson, Bro. Amos Price, and Bro. Ernie Cremer officiating. Burial will follow at Palatka Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, August 18, 2023 from 5-7 P.M. at Christ Independent Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Christ Independent Methodist Church, 4078 Silver Lake Dr., Palatka, FL 32177 or to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32177 or to Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center, 6400 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Betty’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.