Obituary of Barbara Ann Simon Hawkins

Barbara Ann Simon Hawkins was born on September 23, 1949. Barbara Ann as we know her, was affectionately called “Beebop” in her early years.   She made her heavenly transition on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 surrounded by family following a long illness.  She was the daughter of the late Otis C. Brooks and the late Annie Kate Felts.  She was educated in Greenwood, South Carolina.  Following her graduation from Brewer High School, she moved to Philadelphia to be near her siblings and other family members.

She got married and moved to Wilmington, Delaware.  To this union of marriage to Robert Lee Simon, a son, Robert Khary Simon was born.  She married again, to John Wesley Hawkins, her devoted husband that she leaves behind.

At an early age, Barbara Ann gave her life to Christ.  She built a life of love, patience, graciousness, compassion, and service to her church and her Lord.  Barbara Ann always had a passion to love and serve people.  She was honest, trustworthy, loyal and faithful to all who were blessed to be a part of her life.  She loved her family and led by example.  She was truly an angel here on earth.

Barbara earned a BS Degree from Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington.  She started her career at the United States Customs office then went on to follow her dream of becoming a teacher. She was a teacher at the Frederick Douglass Stubbs Elementary School in Wilmington and at the YMCA in the Early Childhood Education Program until her illness.

Barbara Ann was an active and faithful member of the Miracle Temple Holy Church (MTHC) where she was a Deaconess, a member of the choir and the drama guild.  She really enjoyed dancing and working with the children.

Barbara Ann cared passionately for her family and enjoyed all of the family activities and there were many of them.  The family especially enjoyed gathering at Momma’s house for holidays, birthdays, graduations, and any occasion to come together, because there were always big dinners and each sister had a specialty dish that she would bring.  Barbara always made the best “collard greens”.

Barbara Ann’s health began to fail in 2011.  Throughout the battle with her long illness, she tried to remain strong for her family.  She was preceded in death by, her father, Otis C. Brooks, her mother, Annie Kate Felts, her cousin, Patricia Robinson, and her sister, Cheryl Saunders. She was an avid walker before her illness and enjoyed working in the church, going shopping with her husband, John, and baking her infamous pineapple upside down cake.  Her carrot cake was pretty good too.

Barbara Ann has traveled many roads in life: that of wife, mother, surrogate mother to many, daughter, daughter-in-law, niece, sister, sister-in-law, cousin, aunt, and godmother to name a few.  However, Barbara Ann would have you to know that the most important road she traveled was the road to the Lord Jesus Christ and she is with him today.  All are left to mourn our loss and love her legacy.  She leaves a legacy of love with her family and friends.

Barbara Ann leaves to cherish her life and continue her legacy:  her husband, John Wesley Hawkins; her children; Robert Khary Simon, James Kellum, Tarryl Robinson,  her stepchildren; John Chapman, Naeem Hawkins, Tameka Garner, Shonda Hawkins, Johnna Saylor, her stepmother, Kay F. Brooks; her siblings; Michael (Al) Brooks, Jackie (Elaine) Greene, Marsheila Brooks, Otis Brooks, Jr., Kirk Brooks, Patrick Brooks, Richard Brooks, Kevin Brooks, Butch Adams, & Mark Adams, two sisters-in-law, Sammie Brooks & Debra Brooks, her uncle, George (Buck) Felts, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.