Susan Martin Hawkins

02/08/1940 – 12/06/2023

Susan Martin Hawkins, eighty-three years of age, of TidePointe Community in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, after complications from surgery.

Susan was born on February 8, 1940, to John Ralph Martin and Elizabeth Renfro Martin in Pulaski, Virginia. After graduating from Pulaski High School, she went on to study music at Converse College.

In 1959 Susan met Robert P Hawkins, III at Washington & Lee University. After graduating from Converse College with a degree in piano performance in 1960, Susan and Bob moved to Richmond, Virginia where they had their first child, Carmen Druscilla Hawkins. Three years later, they moved to Devon, Pennsylvania, where they went on to have their second child, Robert Preston Hawkins, IV.

Susan was a loving mother and dedicated piano teacher during those early years in Pennsylvania, where she also performed and concertized in the Philadelphia and Virginia areas before the Hawkins family moved to South Carolina in 1977.

Once re-established in Hilton Head, she was in demand as a musician in the Library Chamber Series, and as pianist for the Hilton Head Orchestra. She also performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Atlanta and other cities throughout the south. Susan was a vital participant in the organization of the Southeastern Piano Festival Auditions, and the Winner Concerts. In the 1990’s, she performed piano accompaniments at both the Community Playhouse, and the Self Family Arts Center (now the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina), the latter of which she was also instrumental in helping to found.

Through the years, Susan loomed large with family, friends, and musicians. Her talent as an accomplished keyboardist extended to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, as the organist and choir director, where she especially enjoyed directing the children’s choir program.
In her early fifties, Susan rounded out her life with a passion for golf. Somehow, she managed to find another five hours in each day to be competitive. And by the 2000’s Susan and Bob began traveling the world, from Europe to Egypt, Australia, the Middle East, sometimes with friends, sometimes via cruise ships and the Orient Express.

Susan was predeceased by her loving son Robert Preston Hawkins, IV. She is survived by husband Robert P Hawkins, III, daughter, Carmen Hawkins DeCecco, sister, Druscilla Henderson, and brother-in-law Robert Henderson.

Services will be held at St. Luke’s Anglican Church on Monday, December 18, 2023, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Luke’s Pre-School. Make checks payable to St. Luke’s Preschool Scholarship Funds, 50 Pope Ave., Hilton Head, SC 29928.

Interment will be made at a later date in Mountain View Cemetery, Clifton Forge. Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge is handling arrangements.

To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com