Jean Ayers Hawkins

Jean Ayers Hawkins, 90, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in Ocean Springs, MS. She was born on September 27, 1933 in Itta Bena, MS. 

Jean spent much of her early life in and around Greenwood or Columbus, Mississippi. She graduated from Lee High School and Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus. She also briefly attended Blue Mountain College. After graduating from the W, Jean lived in Memphis briefly before returning to Greenwood and teaching at The Little Round Schoolhouse and Carroll Academy. In the mid-1970s, Jean moved to Madison, MS where she was the Librarian at Madison-Ridgeland High School for many years. She finished her long career in education while teaching in the Durant School System and retired around 1996. Jean continued to live in the Madison area until she moved to Ocean Springs last June to live with her daughter. She was an avid reader with an extensive collection of books that she liked to read multiple times. 

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Randle Ayers and Josie Kelley Ayers; her sister, Joan Ayers Dickson; two grandchildren, Kaitlin Hawkins and John Cody Hawkins; and a step-daughter, Sharon Harris; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Jean is survived by her son, Aaron Hawkins (Monica) of Madison; daughter, Julie Kelley (Robert Lowery) of Ocean Springs; three grandchildren, Amanda Kumar (Vishal) of Brandon, Al “Trey” Walchak of Pearl, and Peyton Walchak (Cloe) of Madison; as well as three great-grandchildren and several cousins, several nieces, and a nephew. 

At a future date, the family plans to have a small graveside service at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Greenwood, MS, where Jean’s ashes will be buried alongside her parents. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation at the link below in Jean’s memory to help build park benches memorializing her grandson, John Dakota Hawkins, who was a whitewater rafting guide in the Long Creek, SC area until he tragically passed away on April 13, 2024. Click here to learn more and to donate:

John Dakota Hawkins Memorial Bench Fund

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Jean Ayers Hawkins.