On Friday, November 1st, 2019, God called to rest Linda Arlene Elkins Hawkins. Linda was born December 17, 1946 to Edna Thomas Elkins and Erick Elkins in Columbia, South Carolina.

Linda had her early education in the Richland County Public Schools in Col umbia until around age 7, when she and her parents moved to Norfolk, Virginia. She continued her education in the Norfolk Public Schools, attending Ruffner Junior High School and graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in 1964.

Linda attended Nor folk State University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Education in 1969. This degree afforded her the opportunity to pursue her passion of educating youth. Linda taught in Hampton City Public Schools for 25 years before deciding to pursue a Master' s degree in Physical Science at Old Dominion University. Linda retired from Hampton City Public Schools in 2007; however, not ready to depart from her passion of teaching, she acquired a position in Edgecombe County Schools in Tarboro, North Carolina, and taught there until 2011.

Linda married John Marshall Hawkins, June 29, 1975. A year later they were blessed by the addition of their daughter, Johanna. Together the trio enjoyed family outings and above all else they enjoyed the Christmas Holidays.

A li fe-long learner, Linda enjoyed traveling, touring museums, entertaining during holidays, attending live theatre, and making crafts. She and her close girlfriends formed the group " Somethin ' Diffrent " and gathered regularly to celebrate life's challenges an d opportunities. She was also a member of the Red Hatters Society, a board member of the nonprofit organization, Educational Services of Hampton Roads, Inc., and was involved in other community service activities.

Linda treasured her intimate relationshi p with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as she developed a strong prayer life which sustained her during her lifetime.

She had a knack for discovering and cultivating gifts in individuals that they were not aware of.  She had a special way of motivating and pushing people towards the potential she saw in them.

Linda had a very strong relationship with her grandsons. When she laid eyes on her first grandson, life as she knew it changed! Joshua and Caleb became her focus and purpose. Nothing could put a sm ile on her face like their presence. Nothing made her happier than seeing them happy. As her health declined, she was determined to leave them with memories of her to cherish, and she accomplished her goal.

She was pre-deceased by her father, Erick Elkins , and her husband, John M. Hawkins, Jr. Linda leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Edna Elkins; daughter, Johanna Martin (Delano); sister, Ericka Patillo , and grandsons Joshua Martin, Caleb Martin, and Delano D. Martin .

We mourn, but we bless you for all the precious memories that you left to guide and sustain us; The Family