Martha Ann Moore Hawkins

Martha Hawkins "slipped the surly bonds of earth" February 26, 2023. Born Martha Ann Moore, Dec. 22, 1925, the youngest of five children to Charles Andrew and Clara Marion Higgs Moore in Moundsville, WVA. People of strong faith, the Moores believed our purpose in this life is to care for and serve others.

From childhood she helped after school and on holidays in the family's Moore Bakery. She sang many solos in church and was the girl singer with the high school Big Band.

While attending nursing school in Chicago she met Ralph Hawkins, who was in naval flight training at the Univ. of Chicago. Ralph and Martha were married in Ralph's hometown, Greenville, Texas, Jan. 1, 1945.

After serving in the US navy, they settled in Austin so Ralph could return to his studies in business at The University of Texas. At the same time he operated his restaurant, The Steer Grill, at 15th and Lavaca, a block from the Texas capitol (1946 to 1956).

After Ralph's graduation they bought a small house. A month later polio paralyzed Ralph's right side. He worked extremely hard at rehabilitation. 22 year old Martha was left to care for her young husband and their 2 baby girls. The family was quarantined and though people may have wanted to help, they were afraid so help was sparse. Martha felt very alone - and that experience affected the rest of her life.

Martha needed family close by but her family couldn't come. So she found First Baptist Church, and the Hawkins were embraced by that wonderful church family.

Two boys were added to the family. At the age of 27 Martha developed a cataract. Blindness in her right eye kept her from driving for 10 yrs. In part because of such trials she developed an intimate relationship with God.

Martha was a wonderful and, much of the time, joyous mother. Together she and Ralph demonstrated the true definition of love in 3 part harmony.

As the children got older Martha had different jobs, growing with each one. She retired after many years with Austin's Aetna Agency where she bloomed helping clients to plan for their retirement.

She taught adult Sunday school from 1963 till her death (60 years). She founded the Love Class and was one of First Baptist's early women deacons. Martha started the Hope Fund to help those with financial difficulties. She also had a strong prayer ministry through her Easter Prayer Vigil and five years of the Taize Healing Service. Many considered her a prayer warrior.



The family is grateful to so many people who loved and helped our mother to be as independent as she could to age 97, particularly "adopted sister" Joanne English, Carol and Kent Hemingson, The Love Class, First Baptist staff, deacons, and so, so many others. Her last words were a request that we "Tell the people, tell ALL the people, how WONderful they are." Her life's wish was that we all know that we're children of God and we are each wonderfully made. Please don't forget that!

Martha was predeceased by the love of her life, husband of 64 years, Ralph L. Hawkins; and beloved son-in-law Robert McClure. Survivors include children: Carol Ann Hawkins (Roger Vaughan), Sue Hawkins-McClure. Ralph Kimzey "Kim" Hawkins (Spencer Jeffries), and Charles "Charlie" Hawkins (Ann Wood). Beloved grandchildren: Charles Ryder (Sabrina), Stephanie Ryder Morris (Dan), Matthew Hawkins (Mary), and Andrea Hawkins. And 8 cherished great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Martha's life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 29, at the First Baptist Church of Austin, 901 Trinity.

Donations in Martha's memory can be made to First Baptist Church of Austin.