Mary Sue Hawkins (Lansing)

Ms. Mary Sue Hawkins passed away March 10, 2025. Age 77 years. Mary Sue was born to Leroy and Alma Marie Marshall (Malone) in Memphis, Tennessee on March 5, 1948. Beautifully named after both her grandmothers, Mary and Sue, she was a woman of many talents. From another grandmother, Susie Roach, she learned the art of baking and its importance in healing and bringing people together. As a child, she honed her skills in homemaking by actively participating in activities at her local 4H club.

In the early 60s, she moved to Lansing, Michigan and attended J.W. Sexton High School. There she was an active member of the Future Homemakers Association and various other organizations until she graduated in 1966. It was then, in her early years, that her passion for showing her love through acts was born.

Mary Sue was very vivacious and independent as she was the first woman most knew to own a Mustang in the late 60s while working at the Center for Urban Affairs at Michigan State University. Her outgoing personality made it so that she could never meet a stranger. Her infectious smile knew how to set people at ease, and soon enough, they would tell her their whole life’s story; a trait that all her children share.

After living abroad in Germany, in the late 70s and during most of the 80s, Mary Sue returned to Lansing, Michigan and dedicated her life to working with young children. For almost 40 years, she served as a Teacher’s Aide at Capital Area Community Services (Headstart). There, she developed relationships with friends and families that would last decades. She was excellent with children and was a go-to source especially for new parents on how to raise kids.

Mary Sue was an excellent listener, and she took the word “family” seriously. Devoted to her loved ones, she remembered everyone’s birthday, sent cards for any special occasion, and never missed an opportunity to check in with family and friends or hold others accountable for doing the same. She was very good at building relationships regardless of who a person was and making them feel like family. Even in her last days, the nursing staff at the local hospital enjoyed her so much, she gained at least three more kids.

Mary Sue dedicated her life to the Lord at an early age and was a faithful member of All Nations Mission of Chicago, Illinois, tuning in virtually every week. She also made sure she supported her nephew Dr. Reverend Anthony Davis, Sr of New Shiloh in Titusville, Florida by streaming their services as well. It was her faith in God throughout her life and especially during her last days that gave her the strength to fight as much as she did. When the pain got intense, she would call on the Lord, thanking Him for being in her corner, asking Him to provide relief.

On March 10, 2025, Mary Sue was called home and went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Mary Sue leaves to carry on her loving and lasting legacy her three beautiful and devoted children who were there by her side to the very end: sons, Jeffery Perkins and Shaun (Yaniris) Hawkins; and daughter, Ashley Hawkins. She leaves to cherish her memory: sisters, Tina Davis, Naurice McMullen, and Joyce Simpson; brothers, Ulysses Taylor, Jr. and Larry Taylor, Sr., and Kenneth McMullen; grandchildren, Aquil Perkins, Ajayi Perkins, Korey Hawkins, Destiny Carter, Charm Perkins, Isis Carter, Cerenity Perkins, Tanasia Rider and Christopher Bongo; four great-grandchildren; and many special nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Alma Marie Taylor and Leroy Marshall, and Ernestine and Walter McMullen; grandparents, Susie Roach and Taft Malone; sisters, Sharon Lindsey and Erma Jean Morrison; and brother, Walter McMullen, Jr.; grandchild, Nasi Perkins; and best friends, Ethel Norris and Donna Moore.