Stella Ruth Bunch Hawkins, age 78, of Rocky Face, Georgia, departed this life, Friday morning, July 30, 2021, surrounded by her children.
Stella was born May 15, 1943 in Dalton, Ga., a daughter of the late, John Theodore and Ella Louise Smith Bunch. Stella was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Billy Frank Hawkins; a daughter, Rose Ann Hawkins; sisters, Martha Sneed, Julia Burgess, Margaret Bunch and Agnes Bunch; and brothers, Calvin Bunch, James Bunch, Harold Bunch, Jerry Bunch, Charles “Ed” Bunch and John Bunch, Jr.
Stella is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Roxie and Gary Luffman of Harriman, TN; son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Terri Hawkins; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Jenny Bunch; sisters, Donna Payne and Charlotte Gravitt; brother-in-law, Pete Burgess all of Rocky Face, GA; grandchildren, Terry Luffman, Amanda Luffman, Craig and Marie Luffman, Corey Hawkins (Angela Defoor); six great-grandchildren; special friend, Sandra Gray of Rocky Face, GA; and many nieces and nephews.
Services to celebrate the life of Mrs. Stella Ruth Bunch Hawkins will be held Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 11 a.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with her nephew, Reverend Allen Bunch officiating. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband and daughter at New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, with Corey Hawkins, Terry Luffman, Craig Luffman, Dewayne Ivey, Gary Luffman and Jeffrey Ariks honored to serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel after 10 a.m. Tuesday until the service hour.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.pondersfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, GA 30721, 706-226-4002.