Hazel Barksdale Hawkins

Hazel Barksdale Hawkins, 80, of Mandeville, Louisiana, formerly of Parkdale, died Monday, May 6, 2024, at her residence.  Mrs. Hawkins was a native of the Harts Chapel Community of Curtis, Arkansas, outside of Arkadelphia, a resident of Mandeville, Louisiana, for the past 14 years; and a former resident of Parkdale for most of her life.  She was a 1961 graduate of Arkadelphia High School and a 1964 graduate of Henderson State University, where she received a Bachelors of Science in Education degree. Mrs. Hawkins taught public schools in Wilmot and Parkdale and was the Special Education Director for the East Ashley Day Service Center in Wilmot, having retired from teaching in 1990. Mrs. Hawkins was a member of the Parkdale Methodist Church, a former Mayor of Parkdale, and a member of the Parkdale Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service.  She enjoyed cooking and would have a large garden to tend every year.  She was loved by everyone that met her.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Mark Hawkins, Jr. in 2010; her parents, Harold and Sybil Callaway Barkdsale; a sister, Kathy Clark and a brother, David Barksdale.

She is survived by two daughters, Charlotte Hawkins of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Carol Ann Liles and husband, Dr. A.C. Liles, III, of Covington, Louisiana; a sister, Judy Plyler and husband, Wendell, of Birmingham, Alabama; two granddaughters, Ainsley Claire Liles and Avery Caitlin Liles; a brother-in-law, Gary Dean Clark of Hope and a sister-in-law, Sandy Barksdale of Dallas, Texas.

Graveside services are 2 p.m., Friday, May 10, 2024, in the Parkdale Cemetery with Bro. Bob Bridges and Sister Chyrl Slocum officiating. Memorials may be made to the Parkdale Cemetery Association, c/o Mr. Harry Dunigan, PO Box 98, Parkdale, AR 71661, or St. Timothy on the North Shore, 335 Asbury Drive, Mandeville, LA  70471.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home.