Eva Joyce (Hollcroft) Hawkins of Waldron, Arkansas, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 31, 2021, at the age of 86, surrounded by her loving family in Greenwood, AR. Joyce was born January 14, 1935, in Booneville, AR to her loving parents Norman and Lucy (Brigance) Hollcroft.
Joyce loved to tell stories about growing up with her five brothers in California. As the only girl in the family she was proud of keeping up with her rowdy brothers and very much enjoyed telling the stories from her point of view. Her love of music was inherited from her parents; her dad led singing at church and her mom played the piano. Joyce loved singing in the church choir, especially singing alto for the cantatas at Waldron Church of the Nazarene. She also loved singing in the choirs at Southside Baptist Church and Temple Baptist Church. Many long term Waldron residents will remember her friendly smile while working at Piggly Wiggly and Super Sav Drug; she took great pride in providing excellent customer service and was also known for sharing her delicious homemade cinnamon rolls with her co-workers and friends. Called “Mamaw” by her grandchildren, the name soon stuck and she was affectionately known throughout her life as Mamaw to all who loved her. Her grandchildren certainly remember riding in Mamaw’s famous blue VW bug to catch those early Saturday morning yard sales or a drive to Jiffy Mart to fill a bag with candy! There are certainly too many to mention, but it should be said how much she loved all her McKay family throughout the years and all her Brigance cousins.
Joyce leaves behind to cherish her memory, daughter Judy and husband Vestal Hutchens of Waldron; son Lonnie and wife Lynn McKay of Fort Smith; daughter Tracy and husband Troy Hunt of Greenwood; and two step-daughters Kathy Pate; Judy and husband Bill Coleman both of Fort Smith. She is survived by one brother Gary and wife Judy Hollcroft of California; sister-in-law Mary Hollcroft of Florida; and sister-in-law Janie Elmore of Waldron. Mamaw will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Brian and wife Cathy Hutchens of Watertown, NY; Kelly and husband Jeremy Slaten of Waldron, AR; Crystal and husband Tony Wagner of London, AR; Autumn Coffey of Booneville, AR; Eva “Niki” Hutchens of Killeen,TX; Kyle and wife Valerie Hunt of Searcy, AR; Kari and husband Micah Turnipseed of Mayflower, AR; Josh Hunt of Greenwood, AR; Steven Hunt of Greenwood, AR; Rachel and husband David Stills of Springdale, AR; Caitlin and husband Shane Williams of Fort Smith, AR; Travis and wife Brenda Newberry of Greenwood, AR; and Charlotte Franklin of Fort Smith, AR. She was also blessed with 28 great grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters. Joyce will also be missed by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and a host of friends and acquaintances.
Joyce is preceded in death by her husband Dalton Hawkins; parents Norman and Lucy; her brothers Nathan, Mason, Ben, and Larry Hollcroft; and her “sister of the heart”, Bennie Hutchens.
Mamaw’s honorary pallbearers are her grandsons: Brian Hutchens, Tony Wagner, Jeremy Slaten, Kyle, Josh, and Steven Hunt, Micah Turnipseed, David Stills, and Shane Williams.
Joyce’s celebration of life will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2021 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Joyce’s visitation will be Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.
The family would like to thank Mercy Hospice for their wonderful love and care of Mamaw in her final days, and for their amazing support of our family.
