Elizabeth (Lilly) Faulkner Hawkins, 64, passed away on July 1, 2009 after a heroic fight with her sixth bout of cancer.

She was born in Lexington, Virginia, and raised in Glasgow, Virginia.

She graduated from Natural Bridge High School and attended Madison College and Randolph-Macon Women's College (RMWC).

She served briefly as a flight attendant for United Airlines before settling with her family in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Lilly was a teacher to us all, but was especially committed to children during her life. She reveled in the optimism and curiosity of youth. Lilly touched the lives of children at RMWC Nursery School (Lynchburg, VA), E.C. Glass High School (Lynchburg, VA), Alexander Wilson Elementary School (Mebane, NC), and Waddell Elementary School (Lexington, VA), among others.

Lilly's energy and enthusiasm for life was evident to all who knew her. She was rarely without a book, be it classical literature, history or mystery. Her tastes in art ranged from her grandchildren's finger-paintings to local Virginia artists to international masterpieces. She danced to music from Greece, Motown and Memphis, delighted in folk and classical music, played the piano, and found solace in her favorite hymns. She was a student of history, with particular interest in the American Civil War.

Her search for adventure took her to destinations both domestic and abroad, including Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, France, and Morocco. She was genuinely grateful for each day and lived life to its fullest.

Lilly cherished the Earth and all who inhabited it. She encouraged stewardship of our planet's resources and her love of trees was well-known among friends and loved ones. Her charity knew few limits, as she spent her life helping those who were less fortunate. Lilly volunteered with Meals on Wheels, gave of her time to the elderly, worked with the disabled, cared for family members who were ill, and helped breast cancer patients in recovery. Her strong faith made her an advocate for peace and equality, encouraged her to recognize the good in everyone, and strengthened her convictions about politics and humankind. Above all, Lilly loved her family.

She is survived by: her husband of 40 years, Clyde Wallace (Wally) Hawkins, Jr. of Lexington, VA; her son, David Alexander Hawkins and daughter-in-law, Myriam Fizazi-Hawkins of Arlington, VA; and their children, Alexi and Lelia-Noor Hawkins; her daughter, Anne Hawkins Lowry and son-in-law, James Watkins Lowry, of Shelby, NC; and their children Mariah, Legend, Shepherd, and Tye River Lowry; and her mother, Lelia (Bimmie) Wood Faulkner of Glasgow, VA. She is also survived by: her brother, Tommy Faulkner, Jr. and sister-in-law, Diane Faulkner of Goodyear, AZ; her sister, Donna (Dotsey) Paxton and brother-in-law, George Paxton, of Glen Allen, VA; her brother, Robbie Faulkner and sister-in-law, Kathy Faulkner, of Lexington, VA; her brother, Edward Faulkner and sister-in-law Sharon Faulkner, of Elon, NC; her sister, Nena Woody and brother-in-law, T.G. Woody of Lexington, VA; her sister, Penni McMichael and brother-in-law, Josh McMichael, of Lexington, VA, and their daughter, Taylor; and her mother-in-law, Helen Fox Hawkins, of Lexington, VA. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Family visitation will be held at Harrison Funeral Home in Lexington, VA, on Friday, July 3 from 6-8 PM. A memorial service for Lilly will be held at Lexington Presbyterian Church in Lexington, VA, on Saturday, July 4 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that mourners send contributions to the Rockbridge Area Hospice (rockbridgeareahospice.org) at 315 Myers Street, Lexington, VA 24450, or to The Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org), 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE, 68410 in memory of Lilly.

Arrangements are being handled by Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.