Mary Frances (Lemons) Hawkins

Mary Frances Lemons Hawkins passed away at her home on August 15, 2018. She was surrounded by her family, and peacefully took her leave. Mary was born in Shelby, N.C. on February 24, 1944 to the late Ray Lemons and Mabel Harrill Lemons. She was a graduate of Crest High School, class of 1962.

Mary was proceeded in death by her husband Gary Franklin Hawkins who retired from the Army in 1982 and passed in 1988. Mary and Gary traveled the world together visiting Africa, Japan, Germany, Spain, and Italy, to name a few. Mary loved traveling and continued to do so even after her husband passed.

In addition to her parents, she was proceeded in death by her mother and father-in-law, G.B. and Rachel Hawkins and sister-in-law, Linda Lemons.

She is survived by: her companion of 30 years, Briley P. Taylor, Sr. of Johnsonville SC; a daughter, Lea Hawkins Gonzales (Lita) of Guyton; a son, Gary Todd Hawkins (Lynda) of Los Angeles, CA; grandson, Tristin Hawkins and his mother, Mia Ansell of Santa Rosa CA and a granddaughter, Paula Capps (Kenneth) of Guyton, GA; great grandchildren, Jensen Capps Usry (Steven) of Guyton, GA, Casey Capps (Courtney) of Brooklet, GA, and Steven Capps (Kerrianne) of Portland, OR; great-great grandchildren, Riley Usry, Ellie Usry, Oliver Capps, and Sammie Grace Usry; brother, Evans Lemons of Shelby, NC; sister, Katheryn L Hamrick (Dennis) of Shelby, NC; her extended family, Bip Taylor (Robin), Belle Altman (Dennis) and their children and grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many friends.

Mary was a member of Guyton United Methodist Church, where she helped make meals for bereavement and church family dinners. Mary was an active member of Family Sunday School Class and the prayer chain.

Mary enjoyed shopping (QVC stock is going to go down exponentially) and vacationing annually to the Bahamas and then to Aruba with her best friend, Jeanine Place of Augusta, GA, who passed away June 26, 2018.

The family will receive friends at Riggs Funeral Home Sunday, August 19, 2018, from 2-4 PM.

A Memorial Service and reception will be held at Guyton United Methodist Church on August 25 at 2PM.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Savannah.

Her ashes will be scattered along the coast of Aruba with the ashes of her best friend and her late husband.

Life gave her Lemons, and she made one sweet life out of it.

Everyone will miss Mary; but she is doing what she loves most. She is traveling... to the moon and back.