Billie Hawkins

Billie Earlene Hawkins, better known to all as "BJ" or "Babie," has taken her final bow on the great stage of life. Born on the 5th of December, 1956 in Vineland, NJ, she eventually set up shop in Camden, New Jersey. She was educated in the Camden School District. Babie had a variety of job experiences as a Certified Nursing Assistant, a Customer Servant in the fast food industry, and worked harvesting clams. Farm work was second nature to her as she enjoyed harvesting collard greens, blueberries, tomatoes, peppers and so much more. She would easily include those garden items into a delicious home cooked meal. Babie was a force of nature, a whirlwind of creative energy, and a woman who knew her way around a crab pot. She was the embodiment of the phrase "life of the party." As an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, she was known to bring the same fiery spirit she had for life to each and every game.

Babie was a true "Jill-of-all-Trades". Her hobbies were as diverse as her personality, ranging from cooking and gardening to repurposing items in ways that would make Martha Stewart proud. She was a woman who truly lived life to its fullest, always dancing to the beat of her own drum. Her colorful life took her from Vineland, NJ to Egg Harbor City, NJ, to Camden, NJ, to California, then North Carolina, and Bridgeton, NJ, before finally settling in Camden. She was a proud Girl Scout that enjoyed utilizing all the survival skills she learned about nature and life. She was dedicated Food Pantry Volunteer, proving that her loving heart was as big as her infectious personality and smile.

Babie was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, accepting Him as her Savior at a young age. Her faith was a testament to the words from Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Babie is survived by her two sons, George Anthony Mahan and Erin Bayard (Winter); her siblings: Lolita Delores Wilson, Levan Foster(Anita), and Rae Laureen Rice. Four grandchildren: Majeed Guerry, Erin Bayard, Queen Erianna Bayard, and Jada Bayard. Four great grands: Ayla Guerry, Ariyanna Guerry, Brasi Anthony Guerry and Zyaire Bayard. She leaves behind a special host of nieces & nephews: Stephanie Cooper(Franklin), Tonya Wilson-Dyer(Anton), Margaret Wilson-Pearson(Troy), Tawanda Green, Dwaune Green, Regina Green, Tyron Green(Lateesha), Leron Green, Anita Green(Yusef); Levan Rice, and Joseph Rice, a dear friend, Cindy Collier Stephens, and a host of great nieces & nephews, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William Harris and Vonnie Foster, her son, Darius, a special brother-in-law, Thomas Wilson, three nephews, Anthony Jermaine Hollingsworth, Anthony Terrell Harris, and Raymond Rice and niece, Antoinette Hollingsworth; and cherished friend, Cecil Pierce.

Lovingly Submitted, The Family

We invite everyone who knew and loved Babie to share their favorite memories and photos on her memorial page. As we remember Babie, let us do so with laughter and joy as she would have wanted. After all, life with Babie was always a party.