Carol "Paulette" Hawkins

Carol Paulette Tinsley Hawkins, better known as Paulette, born November 5, “National Love Your Redhead Day,” in the year of 1946,  passed away December 19, 2020 at the age of 74.  Paulette was born in Tyler, Texas to William Paul Tinsley Sr. and Doris Maye Radke Tinsley.  Paulette, one of five children, spent her early childhood years in Tyler and moved to Beaumont as a teenager.

 Paulette’s determination and zeal for life became evident as she began working at a very young age with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.  A few years later Paulette went on to work for Gulf State Utility Company (eventually becoming Entergy).  Paulette, an intelligent and feisty woman, carried herself in a way that could command the room and knew how to get the job done. Always making friends wherever she went, Paulette was kindhearted and deeply generous with not only her family and friends, but with strangers as well.  She loved to help people, especially those unable to help themselves. Paulette had a varied and colorful life, ranging from a day-long stint in a local circus to modeling.  She has been described as a seriously good pool player, while others called her a pool shark.  Some would even say Paulette missed her true calling in life and should have been an undercover police officer or private detective.

Paulette had two beautiful daughters who recall that she loved playing “Pac/Man” with them as children; cooking wonderful meals and eating the meals together even more.  She enjoyed eating grilled steaks while sitting on the patio and listening to the birds singing. She was proudly known as “Polly” to grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces & nephews. She truly did love her family.

 If you were Paulette’s friend, she would be your friend for life.  Paulette was sincere, always loved the finer things in life and was somewhat eccentric. She had a flashy flare for fashion, arts and culture. Paulette was quick witted, extremely intelligent and had a broad scope of knowledge.  She attended nursing school and obtained a drug counseling degree from Lamar University. She was well-versed in the study of her Bible and was not ashamed to share what God had revealed to her for her benefit as well as for the benefit of others.  She definitely loved and lived life to the fullest.  

Paulette was described by many of her friends as loyal, patient, a mentor, and always tried to do the best for them. This self-proclaimed diva with a generous heart and a beautiful legacy of love will truly be missed by all who knew her.

Left to cherish Paulette’s memory are her children, Melanie Carol Nobles, and Nicole Leigh Mahlman Devos; her siblings, William “Bill” (and Tina) Tinsley, Jr.,  Judy Tinsley Whitehead, and Doris “Rene” Tinsley (and Gary) Biscamp; her grandchildren, Brandon Whiddon, Peyton Bellard and Paige Whiddon; great-grandchildren:  Connor and Grant Devos, Arianna Bellard and Bryson Whiddon, as well as a host of extended family members and treasured friends.

Preceding Paulette in death are: her beloved husband, Robert “Bob” Hawkins; her parents, William Paul Tinsley Sr. and Doris Maye Radke Tinsley; sister Nancy Tinsley Woodrome Poole; grandchild Blakely Paul Whiddon; and a great-grandchild Xsandra Bellard.

Services for Paulette have been arranged for Monday, December 28, 2020 at Christian Fellowship Worship Center, 3950 Pointe Pkwy, Beaumont, TX 77706. A Visitation will be held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with the Funeral Service beginning at 2:00 PM. Immediately following the services, Burial will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine St, Beaumont, TX 77703. The funeral will be live streamed on FaceBook live. You can join the live right before the service by clicking here, or copying this link https://www.facebook.com/cfbeaumont/

In consideration of the health and safety of the family, all social distancing practices and facial covering recommendations will be observed and enforced for all services. Thank you for your understanding.

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