- Date Of Birth: January 14, 1935
- Date Of Death: January 31, 2021
- State: Arkansas
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.
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.
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.
During these trying and difficult times, we must follow the guidelines we have been given to do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus.
