Rita "Mimi" Hawkins

Rita "Mimi" Hawkins, age 83, of Muleshoe, Texas, died Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Muleshoe. She was born February 24, 1942 in Lubbock, Texas to Doyle and Alma (Evans) Turner. She married Franklin Eugene "Peanut" Hawkins in Muleshoe on April 23, 1960.
Rita grew up in Abernathy until third grade, when her family moved to Muleshoe. During her school years, she was a cheerleader, basketball manager, and member of the 4H. She graduated from Muleshoe High School in 1960 and, that same year, married the love of her life, Peanut. Together, they built a beautiful life and welcomed three children: Keith, Shelli, and Charli.
Rita embodied the spirit of hard work and perseverance. She helped her family as a farm hand, tractor driver, and navigator in the fields. She also operated a successful janitorial service and later served as secretary for Bailey Gin Company for over a decade. In every role, she worked with diligence and pride, always committed to serving her family and community.
A natural creator, Rita had a gift for making things beautiful and meaningful. She loved gardening and was known for cultivating one of the most admired yards in town. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, canning, and pouring love and care into everything she made.
Though she loved to serve, Rita knew how to enjoy life. She loved a cold Coca-Cola, never missed a chance to catch up on Fox News, and always brought laughter with her ornery sense of humor and fun-loving personality.
Above all, Rita's greatest passion was her family. She filled her home with warmth, delicious meals, card games around the table, and endless encouragement at sporting events. She dedicated her life to loving and supporting her children, grandchildren, and all those who needed a motherly presence. Rita and Peanut opened their home and hearts generously, creating a place where everyone felt safe and loved.
Rita was a fighter-whether it was challenging basketball referees, standing firm for her family, or bravely battling illness, she never backed down. She faced life's challenges with strength, humor, and grace.
Known to her family as "Mimi," she will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. Her love, loyalty, and unwavering spirit leave a legacy that will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.
Rita is survived by her children, Shelli Carpenter and her husband, Curtis of Muleshoe, Texas and Charli Bruner and her husband, Jim of San Antonio, Texas; a daughter-in-law, Jessie Hawkins of Piedmont, Oklahoma; her brothers, Alan Turner of Kingsville, Texas and Royce Turner and his wife, Carolyn of Muleshoe, Texas; her grandchildren, Jessica Nichols and her husband, Landon, Jodi Posadas and her husband, Eric, Jamie Sanders and her husband, Rowdy, Tara Baxter and her husband, Brandon, Mitci Bartlett and her husband, Josh, Chelsi Allen and her husband, Chris, Colby Carpenter, and Chase Bruner and his wife, Alyssa; her great grandchildren, Lainey, Kambry, Hayden, Brooks, Ryken, Pate, Keaton, Georgia, Magnolia, Noah, Luca and Cali; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss her greatly. Rita is preceded in death by her husband, Peanut; a son, Keith Hawkins; her parents; two sisters, Joyce Bucks and Sherri Kendall; a brother, Doyce Turner; and a grandson, Jeremy Carpenter.
The family suggests memorials be sent to Muleshoe Meals on Wheels, 300 South 1st Street, Ste. 110, Muleshoe, Texas, 79347 or Muleshoe Memorial Park, PO Box 373, Muleshoe, Texas, 79347.