Obituaries

Emma Jean Hawkins, age 76 of Hessel Michigan, died on May 3, 2024, at Munson Medical Center in Travers City, Michigan. Emma was born on April 26, 1948, in Asheville, North Carolina, to Clarence and Roberta (Roberts) Hollifield.

Emma grew up in North Carolina and moved to Michigan in 1980 after meeting the love of her life Teddy Hawkins while he was on vacation with Emma’s family from Michigan, and they married in July of 1985.

Emma worked many different jobs throughout her life, including as a press operator for an industrial laundry mat, and working in a cotton mill with her parents. Emma’s last job was as a housekeeper for Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace where she was no stranger to making new friends. Her favorite job of all was being a home maker, mother, wife, and grandmother. Emma had the best green thumb in the area some would say, growing a garden that would reach the sky. She loved spending the weekends on the pine river fishing for catfish with her husband and son. Emma loved her grandchildren and would often spoil them every chance she had, along with her dog Sophie who you would find sitting next to her on the couch watching western’s.

Emma is survived by her son John Bullman, Hessel, Michigan. Stepchildren Frank (Deb Bailey) Hawkins, Drummond Island, Michigan, Delores Freeborn, Brimley, Michigan, Tanya (Jerry) Plank, Hessel, Michigan. Grandchildren, Dustin Bullman, Rudyard, Michigan, Kayla Bullman, Kinross, Michigan, Emma Bullman, Johnathan Bullman, Michigan. Great Grandchildren, Olivia Bullman, Nora Bullman, Hudson Bullman, Inverness, Florida. Brother Gary Hollifield, North Carolina.

Emma is preceded in death by her parents. Clarence and Roberta Holifield; husband, Gordon Theodore Hawkins, sister- in-law Wanda Holifield.