Queen E.B. Hawkins

On July 24, 2025, our beloved Queen E.B. Hawkins peacefully transitioned from this life, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, and generosity. Born in Washington, D.C., to James and Delia Byrd, Queen was the eldest of three children and naturally embraced the role of caregiver, becoming her mother’s cherished right hand. Growing up during the final years of the Great Depression, Queen learned early how to make a little go a long way. One of her favorite sayings, “No payee – No hav-ie,” was just one of many life lessons she freely shared with anyone who sat with her in her living room. Her mother’s teachings laid the foundation for the wise, compassionate, and resilient woman we were blessed to know. Education was the cornerstone of Queen’s life. She attended Douglass Simmons Elementary School, Terrell Junior High School, and Anacostia Night School, and continued her studies through adult education programs at Howard University. A lifelong learner and voracious reader, she was also a gifted poet who found joy in putting her thoughts to paper. Queen devoted her professional life to helping others, working as a physical therapist assistant at Howard University Hospital. There, she built lasting relationships and made an undeniable impact through her unmatched work ethic and deep compassion. Queen didn’t just work—she made her mark. She was married twice and joined Beulah Baptist over 50 years ago under the pastoral leadership of Moses L. Jackson. Queen was a devoted mother to her four children: Matthew, Horace, Desiree, and Deborah. Queen also opened her home to numerous foster children, sharing her big heart and offering care, stability, and love to those in need. As the beloved matriarch of her family, Queen offered wisdom, strength, and boundless love to her children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Queen also had a deep love for travel, often journeying the world with her husband Paul. Their adventures took them to Jamaica, Barbados, Greece, Paris, Japan, Rome, Germany, Switzerland and all over the United States. For Queen, travel was a joyful expression of curiosity and connection. She had a talent for collecting the unique and beautiful—dolls, coins, magnets, matchbooks, artificial flowers, and figurines. Her porcelain doll collection filled an entire room, each piece a small treasure filled with meaning. She was known for collecting coins with great care and for never passing up a chance to “count her pennies.” She loved taking walks through her neighborhood and cherished the friends she made in her community. A passionate gardener, Queen found peace and purpose in tending her backyard, never letting poison ivy get in her way. Inside her home, she created beauty with equal devotion. Her dining room, a place of seasonal splendor, became the heart of holiday gatherings—especially Christmas brunches surrounded by loved ones. Queen was truly a queen in every sense of the word—graceful, iconic, wise, and the cornerstone of our family. Her love and legacy will live on through us all. She is survived by her son Horace Austin; daughters Desiree (Kevin) and Deborah (Vincent); grandchildren Matthew Coppedge, Brittany Harper- Jones (Alexis), Monica McNutt (Justin), Melanie McNutt, Brianna Jones, and Andrea Jones; and great-grandchildren Naeem McClendon and Sanai Hooks.

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Queen E.B. Hawkins

September 17, 1936 - July 24, 2025