Betty “Jean” Weems Hawkins

Betty “Jean” Weems Hawkins, “Happy” to those who loved her, went to her heavenly home on September 29, 2024, at the age 84. Jean was born on August 16, 1940, in Atlanta where she lived most of her young life. She moved to Gainesville to attend Brenau University and met her husband of 63 years, Gainesville native Benjamin Hawkins who she married in 1959.

Jean had a passion for teaching and a love for helping children grow and learn. She taught in Jefferson, Georgia at Mildred Bryan Kindergarten and at Jefferson High School until 1980. She started the First United Methodist Preschool program where she ended her teaching career and retired. She continued to pursue her love by teaching Sunday School and dance and swimming lessons. She is known by many as the “lady who taught me how to swim” or “taught me how to dance,” and she often referred to others in the same way, as she never forgot a student. She always loved hearing stories of the memories made and how she played a role in the lives of others. 

 Jean was an active member through-out the Gainesville community where she was involved in Phoenix Society, For Her Glory, and the Gainesville Garden Club. She was a member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church and an active member of the Aldersgate Sunday School class. She was happiest when she was out with her girlfriends, surrounded by her family, traveling with her husband and collecting antiques. Cheering on the Gym Dogs and Braves, camping at Vogel, vacationing at New Smyrna Beach and visiting their Colorado home are just a few of her favorite family traditions, all of which will be cherished forever. Jean loved her church, her home, her community, and her people. She wanted to have an impact on others, and her life was devoted to doing just that. 

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Franklin Hawkins, her daughter, Paige Hawkins Martin, mother Betty “Beppy” French Weems and father, Cecil Arthur Weems, her mother-in-law, Blonnie Mae Buffington, father in-law, Edgar Hawkins, sister JoAnn Weems Cain, brother in-law, Donald Cain and granddaughter, Madalyn Martin. 

Jean is survived by her daughter, Eve Sartain and sons in-law, Daniel Sartain and Jerry Martin; brothers, Ronnie Pittman, John Snell and Bill Snell; grandchildren, Brittni Curtis, Chelsey (Kyle) Potts, Dallas (Chad) Sage, Charlie (Erin) Parks and Darci (Tommy) Fleming; great-grandchildren, Katy Paige, Parker, McCoy, Madelyn, Thomas, Tre, Hart, Deasley, Della, Carter, Hudson and Hawkins. Additionally, she will be dearly missed by loving nieces and nephews, extended family and countless friends.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 2nd at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Rev. Jamey Prickett. The family will receive friends in the Gathering Room of GFUMC for a reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Betty Weems Nursing Scholarship at Brenau University or in Paige’s honor to the GFUMC Preschool Program (2780 Thompson Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506). Contributions may also be made in her memory to Glory, Hope & Life at https://www.gloryhopelife.org/how-to-help/ or to Hospice of NGMC at https://www.nghs.com/foundation/hospice/.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.