Lee Hawkins

Lee “Papa” Hawkins, a loving husband and father of 3 children, a grandfather to 8, a great-grandfather to 18, went to be with the Lord April 21,2024. He was 93 years old.

Lee was born February 21, 1931, in Pauls Valley, OK. To Oscar and Maud Hawkins. He and his two brothers grew up most of their lives in Pauls Valley. Around the age of 13, Lee and his parents moved to Ada, OK and he finished school graduating from Ada High at the age of 17. The summer before his senior year, a young woman caught his eye. She and her sister had come from Venice, Illinois to spend the summer with their married sister. Lee knew he better pursue her, and the following summer 15 year old Bettie Richardson became his wife. She remained the love of his life for 76 years.

After their marriage, Lee and Bettie returned to Pauls Valley. Lee was a very successful businessman. Along with Otto Blackwood, they opened Black-Hawk Body Shop and Upholstery. Lee was a master at upholstery and restoring interiors and furniture. Later he opened Lee’s Carpet and Upholstery and many side businesses. It was during this time that Lee met Durall Hall, who would become his best friend and business partner for the next 51 years. In September 1977 Lee and Bettie sold everything in Pauls Valley and relocated to Norman, Oklahoma. Lee began a season selling cars at Adam Chevrolet and Jackie Cooper. In 1979 Lee, along with Durall and two other businessmen, began his final venture: Land Development and Sales. It was during this venture Lee’s creative side really began to shine. During the next 15 years Lee, along with his partner Durall, developed 33 different projects, divided, sold and financed over 650 tracts of land.

Many lives were changed because of Lee’s love for the Church. Lee was instrumental in developing the first Bus Ministry at First Baptist, Pauls Valley, and United Pentecostal Church. After relocating to Norman Lee helped with the building of three different Churches. His faith and beliefs were what he built his home and all businesses on. His greatest desire was for his children and grandchildren to know, trust and believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Maud Hawkins and his brothers Loyd and Leon Hawkins.

He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Bettie Hawkins, his children Tony Lee and Becky Hawkins, Kathy and Bill Ray of Norman, OK, Michael and Amanda Hawkins of Norman, OK. His 8 grandchildren and their families who adored their “Papa”, Leah and Travis Young of Plano, Texas, Justin and Melissa Hawkins of St. Charles, Missouri, BJ and Sara Ray of Edmond, OK, Katrina and John Casey of Chandler, OK, Benjamin and Jennifer Ray of Edmond, Ok, Dr. Bryan and Allison Ray of Norman, OK, Caitlin and Macoby Donaldson of Orlando, Florida, and Zachary and Sabrina Hawkins, Oklahoma City, OK.

Last but not least, he leaves behind his beloved 18 great grandchildren: Ashleigh and Nathan Young; Jack, Samuel and Brooks Ray; John John, Jude and Kit Casey; Anna and Benjamin Thomas Ray; Millie, Owen and Evelyn Ray; Mia, Hattie and Lucy Donaldson; Hunter and Kipton Hawkins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Rob’s Ranch Road to Recovery, 23899 St. Hwy. 74, Purcell OK, 73080, or Jacob’s Ladder, PO Box 308, Chandler, OK 74834

The Family would like to thank the many wonderful caregivers from Mercy Home Health. A special thank you to Amber, Jennifer and Tamara and also Mercy Hospice for all the help and encouragement in his final days.

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by Sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

2 Corinthians 5: 6-9