Virginia Rinnert (Genny) Hawkins, 94, died at her home on December 14, 2023 in Florence,
Alabama.
A memorial service will be held at Florence First United Methodist Church on Monday,
December 18, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Dr. Dale Cohen, Rev. Dr. Terry Stubblefield, and Rev. Dr.
Travis Wilson officiating. A private graveside service will be held at the Creekside Community
Church cemetery in Ragland, AL, at a later date. Visitation will be held at the Florence First United Methodist Church on Monday, December 18, at 10 a.m.
Genny was born in Ragland, AL, to Forrest Gerome Rinnert and Frances Houston Dyer Rinnert
on July 15, 1929. She graduated from Ragland High School and earned a degree in physical
education from Auburn University. She later earned her master’s degree in education with a
history emphasis from the University of North Alabama.
She was a member of the Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority at Auburn University.
She was active in the Florence Service League, serving as Apple Annie co-chair. She taught
government, economics, and recent American history at Bradshaw High School where she
received Teacher of the Year (Secondary Level) honors in 1987-88. She retired after 27 years
of combined service in the Ragland and the Florence City School systems. She was a lifelong
member of the United Methodist Church where she taught children’s Sunday school, was a
member of the Ferguson Class, and longtime leader for Circle 6 of the United Methodist
Women.
She is preceded in death by her parents and her two sisters, Ann Roselle Rinnert Ford of
Birmingham, AL, and Forrest Gerome (Gere) Hamilton of Sylacauga, AL.
She is survived by her children, Gina Hawkins Johnson (Jim), James Rinnert Hawkins (Pam), her granddaughter, Virginia Houston Stowell (Calvin), and her great-grandson, James Alfred
Stowell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Florence First United Methodist
Church, 415 N. Seminary Street, Florence, AL 35630.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to caregivers Sarah Jones, Melinda Henson, and
Hospice of North Alabama, and extend sincere thanks to her neighbors, church family, friends,
and former students for their cards, letters, visits, and meals.
