Shirley Jean Hawkins

Shirley Jean Quebe Hawkins of Taylor, TX, passed away on April 14, 2024, following a battle with cancer.

Shirley was born January 28, 1953, to Robert Owen Quebe and Frances Wolf Quebe in Taylor, TX. She was educated at Taylor ISD schools and married Jerry Donald Hawkins in 1973. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2023, and they made an excellent team.

Shirley was a hard worker and a giving, caring member of her community. She had a gift for number sense and dates. She was known not only for remembering people’s birthdays but for remembering the birthdays of a range of loved ones for every person she met. She was active as a Sunday School teacher at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and as a booster of the Taylor High School Marching Band. Residents of Taylor will remember her from her many years of service at the Rogers Exxon Station and later at the Taylor H-E-B, where she was a fixture in both the business office and the gas station. She cared deeply for her family, her colleagues, her students, and her neighbors.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, as well as her sisters, Joyce Cowan and Linda Quebe.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Hawkins of Taylor, and her sister Fayrene Pressnitz of Benton Harbor, Michigan. She leaves behind her children, Haylie Martinez and spouse Eddie Martinez of Taylor, and Stephen Hawkins and spouse Margaret Garry of Austin. She also leaves behind grandchildren Alyxandra Martinez and partner Zachary Smith of Taylor; Alan Martinez and partner Giselle Ayala of Jarrell; great-grandson Kaison Millican of Taylor; numerous family members, friends, colleagues, and her beloved cat, Maxie Boom Boom. Jerry, Haylie, and Stephen wish to extend their deepest gratitude to Tullis and Sherry Hawkins, Mark and Stephanie Hawkins, and Dollie Rivison for their care and support during Shirley’s illness.

Shirley will lie in state on Thursday, April 18, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home, followed by a visitation from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. A service is scheduled for Friday, April 19, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Taylor City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.