Mrs. Cherry Lee Hawkins was born August 25, 1955, in Homerville, Georgia to the late Elsie and Jimmy Simmons. She married Samuel Hawkins, settled in Jasper, Florida, and to this union, eight children were born. After Samuel's passing, Cherry married Ward Daniels and they enjoyed 27 years together.

Cherry worked as a school bus driver for many years before retiring. Her no-nonsense approach to disciplining children earned her a great deal of respect from students who rode her bus. She also worked as a tax preparer. However, the things she enjoyed the most was spending time with her family, making animated Christmas figurines, decorating Christmas floats, and giving toys to children in need in surrounding communities. She also enjoyed baking and was well known for her sweet potato pie and her blueberry cream cheesecake. She will be missed by many but never forgotten.

In addition to her parents and her first husband, Cherry was preceded in death by one daughter: Sylvia Hawkins; one grandson: Peyton Hawkins; one sister: Geraldine Mosely; and one brother: George Simmons.

She leaves to cherish her sweet memories her loving children: Samuel Hawkins, Jr., Reginald Hawkins, Tammy (Tarence) Hawkins, Penny Hawkins, Amanda Hawkins, Derrick (Ja'Myra) Hawkins, and Anthony Hawkins; three stepdaughters: Jacqueline (Larry) Jones, Rashunda (Mike) Bowman, and Nicole (Tyrone) Riley; eight siblings: James (Valerie) Lee, Della McClary, Edith (Robert) Smith, Willie Ann (Gene) Payne, Jimmy Simmons, Jr., Henry (Gloria) Simmons, Sammy (Rosa) Simmons, and Patrick (Grandson) Claridy; nineteen grandchildren: Tekeshia, Azahri, Xavier, Christopher, Samuel, Michaela, Joycelyn, Chad, Braxton, Olivia, Jeremiah, Mikell, McKenzie, Ja'Corey, Cedric, David, Patricia, Patrick, and Kira; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.