Funeral services for Thelma “Lola” Hawkins Stewart, 95, of Mabank were held Nov. 5, 2022 at Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home with Bro. Teddy King officiating. Honorary Pallbearers – The Knighton Family.
Lola peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Oct. 30, 2022. She was born Feb. 21, 1927, to Columbus A. Higginbotham and Jessie Florence Newton in Alba.
In addition to being a loving mother and grandmother, Lola could almost always be found outside with a fishing pole in hand, watching the clouds float by, enjoying the wonders of God’s creation. Afterwards you could find her savoring a fried bologna and onion sandwich with an ice-cold Dr. Pepper in hand. 
She enjoyed the company of all God’s creatures but especially loved her feline companion Spider Man. She took pride in hard work, which paid off multiple times throughout her lifetime. Including becoming valedictorian of her graduating class and standing out among her peers during her career at Sears, Dallas.
Lola was a faithful woman who loved the Lord, her family and church. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Gun Barrel City and Prairieville Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. 
Lola’s Christian faith was an essential part of who she was. She devoted a great deal of her life mentoring children and caring for all those in need. Her mentoring, faith and devotion lead her to spreading the word of God, impacting people from all over the globe.
Lola was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Fred Hawkins and John Kirk Stewart, sons Robert Wesley Hawkins and Fred Michael Hawkins and sister Jessie May Grisby.
She is survived by her son Jimmy Ray Hawkins, grandchildren Jennifer Floyd, Jessica Rogers, Jim Bob Hawkins, Rachel Quiroz and Jessie Drew Hawkins, several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, sister Joy Jordan, dear friend Shirley Jones, a host of other close friends, family and staff at Mabank Nursing Home.
Interment was at Eubank Cedar Creek Memorial Park in Mabank.