For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:6-8

On January 15, 2021, God walked around heaven and discovered a void. He looked over His flowers on earth and picked a tired, deserving servant whose job He noticed was well done: Sister Della Hawthorne.

She was born on September 18, 1928, to the late Wales Lewis and Jona F. Odom Lewis. She is the granddaughter of some of the first pioneers of the Shankleville Community – John Wesley and Jessie Lewis – and the Indian Hill Community – Elisha and Della Odom.

Sister Hawthorne accepted Christ at an early age. Upon moving to Liberty, she united with Liberty Baptist Church, where she served dutifully as: Secretary of Sunday School, announcing Clerk Assistant/Teacher of Women's Sunday School class, Member of Hospitality Group, member
of Senior Choir, Mission Department, and Liberty Homecoming Hospitality Committee.

She loved cooking and serving good food. Potato salad, cornbread dressing, turnips, and chicken dumplings were her favorites. During holidays, she cooked everybody's favorite food. She prepared that famous pound cake for her sister and brother with an extra to take home with them.

She united in holy matrimony to Simon Hawthorne. To this union, four sons were born.

Sister Hawthorne departed this life on January 15, 2021, at the age of 92 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Simon Hawthorne;
parents; sons, Charlie Edward and J.D. Hawthorne; uncle, (Dad) Charlie Lewis (Ruby); great-aunt, Mary Lewis; and a grand baby.

Sister Della Hawthorne leaves to cherish her memory: four sons, Willie Hawthorne of DeQuincy, LA., Wales Raymond (Loisene), Lester Harold both of Jasper, and Thomas Wayne (Mattie) of Newton, Texas; one sister, Mattie B, Hughes (Sylvester) of Houston, Texas; one brother, Willie Knighton (Virgil) of Beaumont, Texas; nine grandchildren; sixteen great- grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and her special provider and neighbor, Mary Wysingle.