Lula Mae Hawkins, 89, of Monticello, passed away Saturday, February 11, 2024 at her home.  She was born February 17, 1934 in Danville to the late Elmer Lee and Madgie Lee Priddy Tucker.  Her father was a poor share-cropper who loved the outdoors.  Her mother kept the house, worked in the fields, and tended to all the family needs.  They were very poor, but they were very happy.

As a girl, she learned to sew and cook and keep house.  She fell in love with the piano.  They couldn't afford an instrument or lessons so one of her uncles cut out a full-sized keyboard, black keys and white keys, from a couple of pieces of wood and she learned to play without hearing a note.  And how she could play.

She fell in love with Jesus and she gave her heart to him, at an early age.  She was the first in her family to graduate high school.

She was married to Ben Leonard and they had two sons.  Phil has always liked to say they picked him and they were stuck with Rob.  We had an incredible family and some wonderful years growing up in an amazing church, Landmark in Jacksonville.  She was a great help to dad.  She was a wonderful singer, a great instrumentalist, and a fantastic teacher.  She loved children and children loved her.  They still do.

That story ended and a new story began.  She went back to school and became a successful real estate agent.  She became a single mom and raised two sons.   Later, she ran for public office and was the City Clerk in Jacksonville for more than 20 years.  She saw her boys marry and move off.  She's always stayed close to them both.

Then the third story began.  She married a hardworking and God-fearing man named Franklin Hawkins whom she loved.  She had some great years becoming a grandmother to his grandchildren and blending the two families.  They were faithful members of Faith, in Cabot.

She was part of the Care Caps ministry that served Baptist Hospital and provided caps for all the folks who lost their hair due to cancer treatments.  She and Miss Louise Simmons started a library for parolees in Lonoke County.  Her heart's desire has always been to see lives changed through the influence of scripture and Christian literature.

Then, a new chapter.  After Franklin passed away, she moved to Monticello and lived her last few years surrounded by her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids in Monticello.  She stayed active in children's ministry by playing the piano and singing with the kids in Sunday School each week.  She attended worship every Wednesday and Sunday.

Her life can't be summed up on this page.  It was too large.  She was an artist; a painter and a composer.  She was mother and grandmother and mentor to hundreds.  She was loved by countless friends and family.  We miss her.  But, because of Jesus, our great hope is to see her soon for her life has just begun.

John 1.4,5 (NIV) - "In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

In addition to her parents, Lula was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Hawkins; son by marriage, Larry Hawkins and grandson, Dakota Hawkins.

Left to cherish her memory and to miss her dearly are her children, Phillip Leonard (Suzanne) and Robert Leonard (Carla); children by marriage, Henry Hawkins (Sharon), Penny Hawkins and Donna Gwinn of Jonesboro; ten grandchildren, Keeli Phillips, Connor Leonard, David Leonard (Natalie), Amy Becker (Alex), Emily Howard (Justin), Riley Hawkins (Kristi), Jacob Hawkins, Callie Brokeshoulder (Blake), Quinn Hawkins and Bethany Miller (David); fourteen great-grandchildren, Remi Phillips, Kye Phillips, River Leonard, Ella Kate Leonard, Lilah Becker, Bliss Becker, Cash Howard, Brandon Howard, Rowan Hawkins, Claire Brokeshoulder, Michael Brokeshoulder, Tanner Brokeshoulder, Ella Miller and Henry Miller; brother, Dub Tucker, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 16, 2024 at Pauline Baptist Church in Monticello.  Interment will follow at Tyro Cemetery in Star City. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church, beginning at 12:00 p.m.  Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.