Charolette Ann Akins Hawkins passed away at the age of 95 on January 3,2024. Charolette was born on September 28, 1928, in London, Kentucky. Her parents were Harold Philip and Vera Therese Disel Akins.
When she was two, her parents moved to Pittsburgh, PA, and subsequently moved a dozen times in as many years. The family ultimately settled in Bethel Park, south of Pittsburgh, on a large 50-acre farm when she turned 15. During high school Charolette said that dancing was just about her favorite activity and because her father owned an Oldsmobile car dealership, Charolette always had a convertible car during high school – a hit with the boys! She graduated from Bethel Park High School with honors in 1946 and attended Westminster College, north of Pittsburgh, in New Wilmington, PA. While at Westminster, she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and graduated with a BA in Business Administration in 1950.
It was there, during her junior year, that she met her future husband, Bryce Wylie Hawkins, from Elizabeth, PA. The couple was married shortly after her graduation in Mt. Lebanon, PA, on August 5, 1950.
She and Bryce moved to Elizabeth, PA. While Bryce ran his family's hardware store, she taught for a year at Peters Township High School. She was asked by the school board to set up a business department at the school, which was attended mostly by farmers who didn't care about attending such classes that she taught - Typing, Consumers Education, Business Arithmetic, and Salesmanship! That year she was in charge of the yearbook, a hall monitor and was the Senior Class Advisor. She remembers the experience as it was snowing a lot and her car sliding all over the roads and into ditches – and having to have her father come and pull her out! While living in Elizabeth in 1952 and 1953 she and Bryce had their first two sons, Robert Bryce "Bob" and John David "Jack."
In 1956, they moved 15 miles north to Pleasant Hills, PA, where they had their next two sons in 1957 and 1959, Thomas William "Tom" (who passed away in infancy) and Daniel Joseph Dan." In 1959 the family moved to Bradenton where Bryce took over Manatee Hardware while Charolette raised the boys. Charolette frequently substitute taught at Manatee High School to the chagrin of her sons! She had her hands full raising 3 very active and rambunctious boys, making sure they did their school work and got to all their various sports activities. Charolette was an excellent cook and made sure her growing boys we well fed! She and Bryce were devoted and active members of the First Presbyterian Church in Bradenton for 50+ years, which was a very special part of their lives.
Her husband, Bryce Wylie passed away on February 18, 2009, in Bradenton at the age of 83. They had been married 58 years. She continued to live in their west Bradenton home until 2019 when she moved into independent living at Westminster Point Pleasant at the Shores in Bradenton.
Charolette is survived by 3 sons, Bob (Debra) Hawkins of Lake Mary, Fl; Jack (Paula) Hawkins and Dan Hawkins, both of Bradenton. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Tyler) Pullen of Bradenton; Jason (Lauren) Hawkins of Altamonte Springs, Fl; Jaime Hawkins, of Lake Mary, Fl; Joshua (Kim) Hawkins; Jaclynn (Justin) Yoder; step-grandson Thomas (Becky) Brown, all of Bradenton, as well as 8 great grandchildren. Her son, Thomas William (Tom) Hawkins and grandson, James Robert (Jim) Hawkins pre-deceased her.
Her celebration of life and funeral will be held 1 PM Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton followed immediately by a graveside service at The Skyway Memorial Gardens in Palmetto, Fl. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorial gifts may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton's Memorial Fund.
FUNERAL HOME
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory (43rd St. Chapel) - Bradenton
604 43rd Street West
Bradenton, Florida
