Viola (Vi) Riser Hawkins was born to the union of the late Deacon John, Sr. and Lenory Riser of Grayson, LA, on October 12, 1939. She was the 10th of the couple’s 12 children and was loved by all.
She confessed her hope in Christ at an early age and joined Cedar Grove Baptist Church. She was a loyal and devoted member, serving diligently until she left home. She continued her legacy of service at Lincoln Park and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, where she served as a faithful member; she truly “loved good singing.”
Vi attended Union Central High School and graduated at the top of her class. She later received her associate degree in business administration from Milwaukee Area Technical Collage (MATC) in 1985 and continued her education at UW-Milwaukee, also attending a number of seminars and workshops throughout her life. After graduating, she worked for the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee for 11 years.
She met Herman Hawkins in 1957. Later, as their love grew, they were married, and two children were born to this union, Gwendolyn and Debra.
She began her long record of volunteering with the Red Cross in the early 1960s, then became involved in numerous neighborhood, tenant and community organizations. Vi spent much of her time as volunteer and her work would span more than fifty years. Besides the Red Cross she would go on to volunteer with: Boy Scouts of American, Cub Scouts, the Milwaukee County Statement Program, a board member of Dineen Park Neighborhood Organization, Peace Organization, Interfaith Older Adults Program, Madison State Aging Advisory Committee, MCDA Commissioner, Revitalize Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Safety & Civic Commissioner.
Her most recent appointment was with the MATC Foundation Board of Directors who established a scholarship fund at the college.
She also became involved in local politics. She marched in protest with some of the giants of the Civil Rights Movement, including Milwaukee’s Father James Groppi and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. She became a Voter Registrar and Pollster worker, and became involved with the League of Women Voters.
Vi enjoyed her church and was a faithful church worker. She was also very active socially as she worked with the Black Excellence Awards and Louvenia Johnson Scholarship Program, and created the Jazzy Jewels Dance Troupe which would preform at events all over Milwaukee. In 2010, she was inducted into the Milwaukee County Senior Citizen Hall of Fame.
She was a strong advocate on what was right for the people-and if the people were wrong, they got it too! She loved people, traveling, sports, music, a good song, a good laugh, and the company of family and friends.
She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Gwendolyn (Peter) and Debra (Rick); three grandchildren, Candice, Durrell, and Madyson; five great-grandchildren, Nyla, Desirae, Aija, Ryan, and Steve; and numerous nieces, nephews, and god-children.
Her grass roots on the ground and her famous saying, “I walk the highways and byways doing His work”.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked to consider making donations to the MATC- Vi Hawkins Grassroots Scholarship by visiting matc.edu/donate.
