Corine Elizabeth Hawkins

Corine Elizabeth was born on September 16, 1936, in Arlington, TN, to Ora Mae Bledsoe and Tom Chambers. Along with her older brother Earl Jr., older sisters Ora Mae, Emma and younger sisters Rosie Pearl and Hazel, she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Garland Fentress. As a child, Corine Elizabeth attended Barret's Chapel school and enjoyed playing outdoor games with her siblings and classmates, including shooting marbles and engaging in foot races. She also loved playing basketball and had fond memories of making her middle school girls' team as a starting Forward. Corine Elizabeth accepted Christ at an early age while attending Greater Bush Grove Baptist Church. She demonstrated Christian principles by accompanying her mother on visits to the homes of sick relatives and church members, bringing them food or sitting with them during their time of need. She also was committed to spreading these principles by performing at different churches throughout Memphis as a member of a youth gospel vocal group, The Golden Echoes, which also included her sister Rosie Pearl and two cousins. In the years following high school, Corine Elizabeth married twice and lived in Houston, TX and Chicago, IL, before finally moving to Minneapolis, MN in 1978, where she finished raising her family. She was active in her children's school PTA groups and volunteered for several community groups throughout the city. Corine Elizabeth was also active at First Trinity Church of God in Christ in St. Paul, MN as a choir member and was on the mother board at United Deliverance Temple in North Minneapolis. Corine Elizabeth worked in the hospitality and retail industries for over 30 years before retiring in 2006. During retirement, you could find her watching her beloved Golden State Warriors play basketball and her favorite cowboy movies and television shows. She also enjoyed traveling with her family to Hawaii and to her favorite city, Duluth, MN, to watch the ships come in on Lake Superior. Most of all, Corine Elizabeth loved being around her family. On Friday, February 17, 2023, Corine Elizabeth made her transition after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ora Mae Fentress, stepfather Garland Fentress, and sisters Ora Mae, Emma, Rosie Pearl and Hazel. Corine Elizabeth leaves behind twelve children whom she loved dearly: Yolanda Branch of Plymouth, MN; Sharon Branch of Bloomington, MN; Charles Branch (Nancy) of Lakeville, MN; Keith Branch of Arlington, TN; Tony Hawkins (Robin) of Fayetteville, NC; Paula Alexander of Minneapolis; Mickey Hawkins (Deanna) of Coon Rapids, MN; Chandra Hawkins of Minneapolis, MN; Trisha Ewing (Courtney) of San Antonio, TX; Tanya Ross (Darrell) of Dallas, TX; Kiowa Hawkins of Minneapolis, MN and Tijuana Hawkins of Minneapolis, MN. She also leaves behind her brother Earl Rounds, Jr., (Jean) of Arlington, TN, 20 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews and cousins.

Tributes

Corine Elizabeth Hawkins

September 16, 1936 - February 17, 2023

Tributes

Corine Elizabeth Hawkins

September 16, 1936 - February 17, 2023

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