Vera Weaver Hawkins

Vera Marie sunrise on January 27th 1939, to the late Willie and Hessie Weaver both of Inman, SC. She was the youngest of the five children born to this union. Siblings: Karl, Ruth, and Anna preceded her in death. A Christian faith which was instilled in her at a young age remained throughout her life. She shared memberships with Whitehall Baptist Church & Mount Zion Baptist Church Inman, South Carolina Bethel AME Church Pompano Beach, Florida, Piney Grove Baptist Church Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Bethel AME Denton, Maryland. Vera received her primary education to 6th grade at Ben Bomar school for colored, from 7th to 10th grade at Bethune colored school in Inman South Carolina. As her mother became ill, Vera was sent to Pompano Beach, Florida to live with her two sisters, attending Blanche Ely High School from 11th to 12th grade receiving her high school diploma in 1957. She furthered her education by attending (HBCU) Bethune-Cookman College. There she joined the sisterhood of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., she also was a member of the Women's Senate & P.E.M. Club. During a holiday home visit from college, Vera stood 5 ft. 3 in. when a tall statue of a man standing 6 ft. 4 in. captured her interest and she was smitten. Clarence Hawkins was a teacher at Blanche Ely High School. While still attending BCC, the two dated until his employment ended, and he returned home to Rock Hall, MD. A devastated Vera completed her education earning her bachelor's degree in physical education in 1961. Upon graduation she gained employment and became a Broward County's Supervisor over Parks and Recreation for both Fort Lauderdale and Deerfield Beach. She was instrumental in a city-to-city collaboration that started the annual MLK Day festivities. She headed major community events such as concerts at Sunland Park in Fort Lauderdale that brought major celebrities to Broward County. Vera also led the recreational events at Westside Park in Deerfield Beach. While working at Westside Park in Deerfield Van Poitier a city employee worked hard to capture her attention. He courted her and they married. She helped him to co-parent his son, Van Jr, her stepson. Unfortunately, Sr. did not understand her no nonsense policy of life's choices; they divorced and remarried and he preceded her in death. She was also a third grade teacher, alongside her sister Anna Gordon who was a second grade teacher at Deerfield Beach Elementary School. Together the two brought a real educational and discipline experience to the school especially for the black students as the school was a predominantly white. They knew that segregation and lack of good books and education had held black people down. They championed on “Not passing was not an option and testing well was the only option”. To help advance their efforts they knew they needed to kick in some doors and make a little noise. They strategize with other black teachers to come up with lesson plans and strategies to coordinate on how to help those struggling students meet the mark. They then joined and eventually held positions as officers in the NEA Teachers Union. While teaching she attended FAU to earn her master's degree in education. After suffering a major loss, Rev. Clarence A. Hawkins returned to Pompano Beach, Florida to reconnect with Vera, the love he was forced to leave back when she was attending BCC. So after 28 years of teaching at DBES she retired, sold both houses, married and moved to Rock Hall, MD. On April 15, 1990, the two were married as Vera had no children of her own; she once again instantly gained two step-sons and a step-daughter. Ranata, Clarence Jr. and John. Her greatest joy came in the form of a granddaughter Ranaya. She became the First Lady of Bethel AME Church in Denton, Maryland. They also created a business “Harambee” buying and flipping houses. Owning several properties. While in Maryland she became a member of the Red Hat Society, Quilting Bees and various organizations throughout the AME Church as First Lady. They travelled and enjoyed 26 years together. After the passing of her beloved Clarence on March 28th, 2016, Vera returned to Deerfield Beach until her sunset on March 30th 2026. Vera was of many talents, musically she played the trumpet as one of the first girls to play this instrument and self-taught to play the keyboard. Extremely creative in arts & crafts, paintings & drawings skills that best served her as a teacher, which she helped the students create projects. Vera was an excellent seamstress, making clothes and costumes. She leaves to cherish her memories; eldest sister Fannie Mae Harris of Newark, New Jersey (Suffolk, Virginia), brother-in-law Carroll Hawkins of Rock Hall, Maryland, special nieces: her niece Carla Littlejohn-Jarman and great niece: Chisato Turner of Pompano Beach as well as a host of family, friends, Sorors & students.

Vera Weaver Hawkins

January 27, 1939 - March 30, 2026