Pages

Monday, April 24, 2023

Passing of Joyce Ann Hawkins

Dear Neighbors and Friends.

We are sad to report the passing of our long-time neighbor, Joyce Ann Hawkins. Joyce passed away on March 16. She lived on Gleneagles Drive for 39 years and was a member of the Tanta-Cove Garden Club and was once a block captain. She also served on the PG County Historic Society Committee. Please keep Joyce in your thoughts and prayers.

From her Homegoing Celebration at the Open Heart Way of the Cross Church:

Joyce Ann Hawkins

September 24, 1941 – March 16, 2023

Joyce (Ables) Hawkins was born in Washington D.C. on September 24, 1941, to the late LaFate Ables and Gazelle Ables. She was the youngest of seven siblings. Preceding her in death are siblings Charles Brown, Shirley Parker, Juanita Tibbs, Gloria Bullock, and John Ables.

Joyce grew up in N.E. Washington D.C. on Hunt Place, around the corner from Tabernacle Baptist Church. It was in this church that she was saved, baptized,  and a member of the original Tabernacle Echoes Choir. This would later become a family funny about her music talent. Joyce graduated from Joel Elias Spingarn High School in 1954. After graduation, she was a waitress for one week and quickly found that this was not her ministry. The federal government employed her as a typist. She was then selected to work in the area that involved the newest technology, computers. Years later, she retired as a systems analyst GS15 for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At the age of sixteen, Joyce accompanied her sister-in-law Shirley Ables to a rehearsal where she met the pianist, Jim Hawkins. They would tell the story that he stole her squirrel nut candy, and it was love at first chew. They were married at Tabernacle Baptist Church on September 30, 1961. Jim called her Jo and later named her “First Lady”.  From their union came two daughters, Judith Aarian and Jacquelyn Annette. Later in life, Cynthia Nwachukwu became their goddaughter. Then Kimberly Moore came into her life, and with one serving of ham became her bonus daughter. 

Joyce was a faithful member and mother at BOLD Deliverance Ministries Incorporated. She was an entrepreneur selling purses, hand made cards, and book marks. Joyce was a licensed realtor, a published author of Overcomer: By the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of My Testimony. Joyce had a servant’s heart. She served as an usher and trustee at Guiding Light Refuge Baptist Church. From there, her desire for missions was shaped through a trip to Africa with Ebenezer A.M.E. As an ordained deaconess at Fort Foote Baptist Church, her desire for mission’s work was again fulfilled as a missionary and board advisor for Know the Truth International Ministries.

Joyce leaves to mourn her one brother, Franklin Ables, daughters, Judith A. Hawkins, Jacquelyn A. Hawkins, goddaughter Cynthia Nwchukwu, bonus daughter Kimberly Moore, and a host of bonus grand children, nieces, nephews, and cousins.