Mary Faye ("Faye") Hawkins, 93, of Prosperity passed away on January 22nd at White Oak Manor in Newberry. She was a Prosperity native and the daughter of the late Thomas Cleveland Hawkins and Gertie Shealy Hawkins.

Faye was educated in the Prosperity school system. Upon high school graduation she relocated to Columbia to work for New York Life Insurance and to live with her sister Hazel. The two sisters lived together in downtown Columbia for almost 60 years before returning to Prosperity in 2010 to be nearer family. Faye retired from the human resource department of the SC Tax Commission (now SC Department of Revenue).

She was a woman of integrity who had a strong work ethic and a generous, unselfish nature, always willing to help anyone in need. Faye unfailingly donated consistently to numerous charities and her church for many decades. She also sponsored an overseas child in a Third World country. She and sister Hazel were regular visitors to hospitals, nursing homes and shut-ins to spread cheer and offer a helping hand. They spent countless hours addressing cards for all occasions for family and friends.

Faye was predeceased by brothers Virgil, Leslie, Gilbert, Berley and Lewis Hawkins; and sisters Rosalyn Frick, Julia and Hazel Hawkins.

Surviving are her three caretaker nieces, Susan Bishop of Newberry, Julie (Jody) Creel of Chapin, Beverly Hawkins of Prosperity, and special great-niece Sarah Bishop of Prosperity. A number of other nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive, as does her beloved ginger cat, Samson.

Graveside services will be conducted by the Rev. Bobby Morris at Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church Cemetery, Prosperity on Wednesday, January 25th at 2:00 pm. Faye was a lifelong member of Mt. Pilgrim and the oldest member of the congregation. The family requests that memorials be directed there at 2336 Mt. Pilgrim Church Road, Prosperity, SC 29127.

The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Memories and Condolences may be shared with the family here on her tribute page.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to assist the Hawkins family.