Paula M. Hawkins

CHARLESTON, IL – Paula M. Hawkins, age 83 of Charleston, was reunited with family in their Heavenly Home on Sunday, March 1, 2020.  Her Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  The Funeral Service, honoring and celebrating her life will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020 at the funeral chapel with Pastor Curt Weaver officiating.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.  Memorial gifts in her honor may be given to the Charleston Food Pantry and left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

Paula was born January 2, 1937 in Charleston, the daughter of Paul and Helen (Rogers) Allen.  She married Gene Hawkins on October 15, 1977 and they have celebrated 42 years of marriage.  In addition to her loving and devoted husband, she is survived by a daughter, Jana Huddleston of Charleston; two stepchildren, Chad Hawkins of Assumption, Illinois and Christie Hawkins-Nelson and husband Mike of Taylorville, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Coartney Hale of Ashmore, Illinois, Jamie Huddleston and Jessica Huddleston, both of Charleston, Sydney Blades and husband Brandon, Andrew Hawkins and Alex Hawkins, all of Shelbyville, Illinois and Kylie Nelson of Taylorville; six great-grandchildren, Trenton Stewart, Jax Huddleston, Chilton Zuniga, and Todd, Wesley and Clyde Blades.  In addition to her parents, Paula was preceded in death by two sons, Terrie Lee Huddleston and Brian Joe Huddleston; and her brother, Robert Allen.

Paula was a graduate of Charleston High School and the first woman to be employed in Coles County as a Deputy Sheriff.  She was employed with the Coles County Assessment Office prior to her retirement.  Paula was a woman of faith and extremely involved with her church family at East Harrison Street Church of God.  She volunteered with the Farm Bureau Ladies Aid, 4-H Clubs; was on the Charleston Food Pantry Board and a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Paula loved her home and made certain that it was always tastefully decorated.  She was proud of her family and was always supportive of them.  She enjoyed traveling with Gene and looked forward to going to their Florida home every year and spending time with several of their friends.  In their younger years, Paula and Gene were quite the couple on the dance floor and attended many square dancing events.  Paula was a kind soul always seeing the very best in others and ready to lend a helping hand.  She will be truly missed by her friends and her family which includes her pitbull and canine best friend, Batman.

Funeral Service
The funeral service celebrating the life of Paula Hawkins was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Adams Funeral Chapel with Pastor Curt Weaver officiating.  Millie Turner served as pianist, providing the prelude and postlude selections and accompanying Pastor Curt Weaver who sang "Amazing Grace".  Vocalist, Jay Simpson, also sang one of Paula's favorites "In The Very Room".  The closing song for the service was one that Paula sang to her grandchildren "A Bushel and a Peck".  Burial followed in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston.  Pallbearers were:  Paul Briggerman, Alex Hawkins, Andrew Hawkins, Chad Hawkins; Kevin Sandstrom and Trenton Stewart.  Honorary Pallbearer was Scott Harrison.

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