LaVada (Vada) Hawkins

LaVada “Vada” Nichols Hawkins, 81, of Lacombe, Louisiana, peacefully passed away on September 14, 2022, surrounded by loved ones after a long illness. Though she is no longer physically with her family, her heart of gold and loving spirit will live on in them.

Vada was born on May 28, 1941, to Bill and Almerta Nichols in Cordele, Georgia. A graduate of Crisp County High School, Vada married Don Hawkins in 1959 and they started their family. Vada and Don had three children and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1976. She called the area home for the rest of her life.

Vada lived a full life surrounded by her children, nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and, in her later years, her beloved Yorkie, Charlie. Known lovingly as "Maw-Maw Vada", her biggest passion was family and she enjoyed being surrounded by their love and laughter at dinners, birthday parties, lazy Sundays, and holidays at her house. Her love was constant and she showed it, in part, by attending every school event, performance, and sporting event her grandchildren were involved in. She was an avid reader and loved to work in her yard and gardens.

Vada was a constant source of support for those around her and was a living example of what it means to love unconditionally. Together over the years, Vada and Don took family and friends into their home in their time of need—no questions asked. They needed love and she answered the call. The grace and love she showed others in the midst of life’s biggest challenges will be her lasting legacy.

Vada was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Almerta Nichols, and nephew Brian Nutt.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Don Hawkins of Lacombe, Louisiana; sisters Quinnie Nichols Bundrick and husband Robert of Centerville, Georgia, and Pam Nichols Huey of Cordele, Georgia; children Scott Hawkins and wife Wendy of Madisonville, Louisiana, Kim Hawkins of Covington, Louisiana, and Al Hawkins of Mandeville, Louisiana; grandchildren April, Megan, Bobby, Kelly, Hannah, Jesse, Lyndee, Savannah and Shea; her ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved deeply.

Visitation will be held at Bagnell and Son Funeral Home in Covington, Louisiana on September 19th beginning at 10:00 am. The service will follow at 12:00 pm. A private burial at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Mandeville, Louisiana will be held at a later date.

The Hawkins family would like to thank the caring staff at Lacombe Nursing Centre and Compassus Hospice for their loving care.