Comelia (Reed) Hawkins (1910 - 1992)

Born 15 Apr 1910 in Avoyelles, Louisiana, USA

Ancestors

Wife of Henry Hawkins — married 20 Jul 1933 in Rapides, Louisiana, United States

Died 23 Jan 1992 at age 81 in Houston, Harris, Texas, United States

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Biography

Comelia (Reed) Hawkins is a part of US Black heritage.

The 1910 U.S. Census lists "Camila" as an infant black girl living with her parents, two older sisters, and a great-grandmother in Police Jury Ward 9, Avoyelles, Louisiana. Her year of birth is estimated as 1910. It is noted that Comelia and her parents were all born in Louisiana.^[1]

The 1920 U.S. Census lists "Camilia" as a 10 year old black girl living with her family in Avoyelles, Louisiana. Her birth year is estimated as 1910. She is unable to read or write.^[2]

The 1930 U.S. Census lists "Camille" as a 19 year old single negro woman living with her family on a rented farm in Rapides, Louisiana. Her birth year is estimated as 1911. She has not attended school within the past year but is able to read and write.^[3]

The 1940 U.S. Census lists Comelia Hawkins as a 28 year old married negro woman living with her husband and children in Rapides, Louisiana. Her birth year is estimated as 1912. It is indicated Comelia attended school through the 6th grade.^[4]

Newspaper Clippings:

"Rev. Robert Dancey and daughter of Houston, Fred Sampson of New Orleans, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Reed, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hawkins and family and Mrs. Gertrude Reed of Cheneyville all attended the funeral of Mrs. Rachael Dancey Wednesday."^[5]

Obituary:^[6]

"Comelia Hawkins

"CHENEYVILLE - Services for Comelia Hawkins will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Edgefield Baptist Church with the Rev. Melvin Jackson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery under direction of Proggressive, Bunkie.

"Mrs. Hawkins, 81, of Cheneyville died at 3:15 a.m. Thursday in St. Joseph Hospital, Houston, Texas.

"Survivors include three sons, Henry Hawkins Jr. and Charles L. Hawkins, both of Houston, Texas, and Gale Michael Hawkins of Virginia Beach, Va.; four daughters, Ella Mae Dennis, Willie Keary, Everlina Chambers and Dorothy Smith, all of Houston, Texas; 23 grandcildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

"Friends may call after 5:30 p.m. today in the church."

Comelia is buried in First Edgefield Cemetery (African-American), Rapides, Louisiana, USA ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPTF-KCV : accessed 12 June 2020), Camila Reed in household of General Reed, Police Jury Ward 9, Avoyelles, Louisiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 25, sheet 15B, family 284, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 508; FHL microfilm 1,374,521.
2. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GR6K-J12?i=12&cc=1488411
3. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GR4V-H7C?i=2&cc=1810731
4. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9MR-2367?i=28&cc=2000219
5. ↑ Published in Daily World (Opelousas, Louisiana) on Sunday, May 2, 1954, p.35
6. ↑ Published in The Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana) on Saturday, January 25, 1992
7. ↑ http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=81&GScid=2274491&GRid=161722648&

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