Serena (Hughes) Hawkins

Serena Ann Hughes Hawkins, 83, died Thursday, December 12. Born on January 14, 1936, Mrs. Hawkins was a native and lifelong resident of Clarke County, GA. She attended Athens High School and was a member of the 1954 graduating class. For over 20 years she was a nutritionist and lunchroom manager at several elementary schools in Clarke County where she enjoyed being a daily part of so many children’s lives.  Mrs. Hawkins was an active member of East Athens Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, a GA leader, a member of the WMU, church hostess and always a willing volunteer whenever needed. In later years she served the congregation, her family, friends and anyone she met as a prayer warrior and constant encouragement to others. Her hobbies included gardening, bird watching, cheering on her Georgia Bulldawgs (Go DAWGS!!), traveling with her children and grandchildren, and spending time on Lake Hartwell. Her family especially remembers the wonderful meals she cooked, delicious goodies that she baked and beautifully decorated cakes, including all four of her daughter’s wedding cakes.

Mrs. Hawkins was the daughter of the late Charles Henry “Charlie” and Nelle Crowley Hughes. She is survived by her four daughters, Angie (Steve) Ferguson of Hartwell, Tammy (Troy, III) Porterfield of Watkinsville, Lynn (Bill) Mathews of Bellingham, WA and Gayle (Scott) Burch of Bishop; brother, Guy (Pat) of Athens; fourteen grandchildren, Josh (Shelly), Kristin, Sandi, Alex (Emi) and Caleb (Emily) Ferguson, Matt (Sally), Sam (Ansley), Abby (David) Bethea and Jake Porterfield, Ben Mathews, Chelsea and Lauren Rodriquez, Carson and Garrett Burch; great-grandchildren June, Molly, Grayson, Walker, Blythe, Isaiah, Selah, Jace, and Charlie; and two sisters-in-law Sherrie Hughes of Nicholson and Dorothy “Dot” Hawkins (Costa) Dickens of Statham. She was preceded in death by her husband R.L. “Bobby” Hawkins, brothers Henry and Joe Hughes, and grandson, Rob Ferguson. The family will receive friends Friday, December 13 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Lord and Stephens East Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Ferguson officiating. Interment will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Lord and Stephens, EAST, has charge of arrangements, www.lordandstephens.com.