René Elizabeth Hawkins

1964 - 2023

René was the sparkle and radiance in our lives. She was our unicorn. René Elizabeth Hawkins, 59, bravely took on pancreatic cancer until November 15, 2023. René had a warmth and light that shone brightly. She was the life of the party. Always ready with a quick quip, a big laugh, and an even bigger smile. She drew people to her and embraced them. René was born on January 5, 1964, at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. She was the "baby" of the family, the youngest of three children to Rose M. Morgan and Sanders F. Hawkins. René graduated from Aberdeen Sr. High School and James Madison University where she majored in Marketing and pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Sandy; aunts, Eleanor Alcorn, Ella Harmond, Noni Gates; uncles, Jerome Bondy, Cecil Greenidge, and Oliver Alcorn, Sr.; cousins Lynette Alcorn Senegal, Debbie Beaton, Ronnie Harmond, Christopher Harmond, Joseph A. Morgan III, and David A. Morgan; ex-husband, Albert M. Wilson III. René' was a devoted daughter, sister, niece, cousin, godmother, and friend who never forgot a birthday. René was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April, 2021. She then began a journey that would show her to be the bravest and most giving of people. Our beautiful sister faced her fears and anxiety over the course of countless chemotherapy treatments, procedures, and tests. Even when she didn't feel brave, she persevered. René raised money for the Pancreatic Cancer Network and participated in a novel clinical trial to help the medical team at Baylor St. Luke's in Houston, TX develop new ways to help the human body mount a defense against pancreatic cancer. She was then featured in a film for a fundraiser for cancer research at Baylor St. Luke on Dec. 7, 2023. Always stylish and turned out, René used fashion as a way to spread joy and happiness. Even when she wasn't feeling her best, she would dress up for the medical staff. They truly looked forward to seeing her in her bold, floral boots, dangly earrings, and Michelle watches. It's no surprise her sorority name was Radiance! René's physical beauty was only exceeded by the beautiful spirit she shared with her family and friends. She had many traditions such as the annual Christmas cookies for her work colleagues, visiting her parents every year for their anniversary, or sharing a Jack and Coke with her Uncle Joe. She had a gift for making people feel special and loved. René shared her love freely and forged special and unique relationships with family and friends who became family. We will miss René's thousand watt smile and her million dollar tooth as well as her sparkle whether singing karaoke or doing the electric slide. René is survived by her sisters, Troy Hawkins and Andrea Hawkins, and her friend, Ginny Posniak, who was like a sister to her; three uncles, Joseph Morgan, Jr., Maurice Morgan, and Andy Boisseau; aunts, Jacqueline Morgan, Adelaide Wallace, Jessica Hawkins Greenidge, Edith Morgan, and Ruby Boisseau; cousins, Linda Alcorn Givens and Austin Givens; Donna Ancar and Troy Ancar, Yvonne Bell, Yvette Cambridge, Oliver "Lee-Lee" Alcorn, Kathy Morgan, Michelle and Cyrus Scarver, Helen and Kenny Campbell, Brian and Jeanette Morgan, Kim and Keith Plummer, Phillip and Yvonne Morgan, Michael and Heidi Morgan, Patricia Morgan, Kim Bondy, Blayne and Eileen Bondy, Kevin Greenidge, Michelle Joiner, Elizabeth Smith and Lance Fralick, Henry Wallace and Luna Sioson, Linda Wallace, Steven Wallace, John Harmond and Tomoko Sakaguch, Phillip Gates, Angee Gates, Karen Gates, and Michael Gates. She is also survived by a host of younger cousins of whom she is very proud. René was a devoted friend to Carole Ward, and her children Kerry, Tedd and Shelley who through the years became family. It meant so much to her to have wonderful friends Karen Evans, Denise Taylor, Bernie Hargenrader, Jennifer and Bill Kavanaugh, Maura Preston, Ruth Chieh, Shanelle Thomas, and Shira Harrington Lotzar. The family will receive friends and family from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on January 5, 2024 followed by the Holy Rosary at Porter Loring North in San Antonio, TX. A Funeral Mass will be held January 6, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church. Fr. Kevin Shanahan will officiate. For those unable to attend the rosary and mass, a live stream will be available within Rene's obituary at www.porterloring.com. Please join the family for a reception following the service at The Quarry Golf Course, 444 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, Tx 78209. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Network (PurpleStride Houston 2024: Twisted Sisters - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (pancan.org) or St. Jude's (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org). You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com. Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, TX 78232 – (210) 495-8221.