Connie Marie Hawkins, 75, of Akron, died Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at Akron General Hospital. Born on July 27, 1946 in New London, she was the daughter of the late Alvin and Leota (nee DeJarrett) Poole. Connie grew up in New London before moving to Mansfield, then to Elyria and to Akron where she resided for the past 19 years.

Connie worked for several years at the Jewish Center in Akron as a teacher. She enjoyed volunteering with Crestview baseball leagues, the Mansfield Senior High Boosters, and the NAACP. In her free time she enjoyed watching western movies and could sing all the theme songs. Connie was the owner of Family Absolute BBQ, a food stand at the yearly Labor Day festival in New London, where she sold her famous potato salad. Connie also enjoyed traveling to casinos with her husband, and planting and tending her flowers. She will be remembered for living by the principle "when you've done all you can do, all you can do is stand".

Connie is survived by her husband of 52 years, Cooper Hawkins; daughter, Suma Mullins, son, Bubba Randleman, one other daughter and two sons; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings Janice Poole, and Ronnie Poole; and dear friends, Sue, Donna, Paula, Charlotte, Mary, Lorraine, Inez, Cassie, the Michaels, and Miss Betty. She was preceded in death by her son Jemall Hawkins, and sister, Gerry Grantham.

A private memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 2:00-7:00 p.m. at the Hileman Building, 2 Blake St. New London, OH.  Please RSVP to Suma Mullins at 419-357-9843 or Paula Caldwell at 567-241-5516, please leave message.  Eastman Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements and expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www.eastmanfuneralhome.com.