Summary
Reverend Ronda Lee Hawkins died peacefully in her sleep on December 27, 2024. Ronda was born in Detroit on June 26th, 1949. She was 75 years old.
June 26th, 1949 – December 27, 2024
Reverend Ronda Lee Hawkins died peacefully in her sleep on December 27, 2024. Ronda was born in Detroit on June 26th, 1949. She was 75 years old.
Ronda was the second daughter of Robert and Evelyn Hawkins. Evelyn spelled her name without an “H” because she thought it would be easier for her to learn fewer letters in kindergarten. Her sister Judy was 6 years older. After moving several times including brief stops in Austin and St. Louis, the post-war family finally settled in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where Ronda spent her childhood.
Ronda was a spirited child and her early relationship with her sister involved lots of teasing and being given the nickname “tarb” (brat spelled backwards) which stuck for many years. Later in life, the sisters became very close. Many family trips were taken to “the dunes” in Northern Indiana to visit Judy and her husband George. While she only had one sister Ronda had many beloved cousins all over the country she stayed in touch with.
Ronda had great pride in graduating from THE Grosse Pointe HIGH SCHOOL. She then attended Michigan State University, studying special education. After meeting him at a high school church retreat, she married Raymond Beebe on September 13, 1969 shortly after his return from serving in Vietnam. Their first daughter Lisa was born in 1970 when they were both students at Michigan State. Matthew arrived in 1973 and Stephanie followed in 1976.
The family moved to Highland in 1975 and remained until Stephanie finished college. Ronda was an active volunteer and especially loved coaching softball. She participated in many sports/social leagues including softball, bowling, golf, and racquetball. Golf became one of her favorite activities, and even in her final year, she held onto the dream of getting back out on the course. The family also enjoyed sailing, sharing great family memories of “trips” to the Virgin Islands with the kids and a few actual “vacations” without them. The family grew up in a fun, close-knit neighborhood, filled with cherished memories of bowling league nights and Uno games at the beach.
While juggling a busy family life, Ronda worked hard to complete her undergraduate requirements and attend pharmacy school at the University of Michigan. In 1984 she graduated and became a proud lifelong Wolverine. Her pharmacist mind was remarkable, she enjoyed advising on medicines to friends and family and was able to recall the purpose of each drug she took even at the end. She was proud to maintain her pharmacy license until the last few years and spent 10 years as a pharmacist for Meijer and then volunteered at the Joy-Southfield free clinic during retirement.
Ronda was a lifelong United Methodist and was deeply involved in the Highland UMC as a UMW leader, Sunday School teacher, and annual conference delegate, eventually experiencing a call to the ministry. She became an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and served Hardy United Methodist Church as its pastor. Her faith was always very important in life and eventually found “The Chosen” and was very proud to be an extra in the Sermon on the Mount scene.
Ronda endured many hardships in her life including the deaths of her mother, father, sister, and best friend, and the challenges of divorce, cancer, and disability. Guided by her strong faith, she never let these trials take away her sense of humor or her unique ability to make a friend of everyone she met. She even selflessly donated her kidney without hesitation when she learned her friend was in need and she was a match.
In retirement, Ronda became heavily involved in Republican politics, becoming a State delegate and attending the 2008 Republican National Convention. She was always rooting for her sports teams: Lions, Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings, and of course, her beloved Michigan Wolverines. After her father passed in 1999, she became a great caretaker for her mother. “GG” was with us until 2014.
Her favorite title in life was “Gram.” Malcolm, her first grandchild, shared a special bond with her that evolved over the years—from her taking care of him as a child to him caring for her later in life. Gram and Mahlah bonded over their shared love for Michigan, and she proudly told anyone and everyone that Mahlah made her a Michigan Grandma. Hannah and Joshua, her Texas “grands”, may have lived far away, but she adored them deeply and talked about them often. They all share fond memories of being stuck in Texas without power during the “Snovid” ice storm in 2021. She and Lilah shared a strong bond, built during the countless times Gram cared for her as a young child. While Hannah narrowly missed being born on her birthday, Amelia came along and shared that special day with her, a connection they both treasured. And then there was Stella, her “Stella Bella,” who brought endless joy with their stuffed animal playtime. Her love extended to her bonus grandchildren—Hunter, Hudson, and Holly—whom she welcomed with open arms after Matt married Jennifer.
Ronda was preceded in death by her father Robert, mother Evelyn, and sister Judy. She is survived by her three children Lisa (Daniel), Matthew (Jennifer), and Stephanie (Dale), and her ten grandchildren Malcolm, Mahlah, Hannah, Joshua, Lilah, Amelia, Stella, Hunter, Hudson, and Holly.
Visitation will be held at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty St., Milford, MI 48381 on Sunday, January 5th, 2025 from 3 – 6 pm.
Memorial Service at Brighton First United Methodist Church, 400 E Grand River Ave, Brighton, MI 48116, on Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 1 pm, a reception will follow.
In Memory of Ronda’s vibrant spirit, consider making a gift to your preferred charitable cause to help her legacy of service live on through positive change in the world.
Last Updated on January 4, 2025