Barbara Hawley

Reflections

Barbara Jean Warren Hawley, 90, of Fayetteville NC joined her husband William Robert (Bobby) Hawley Sr in heaven on March 21, 2025. With loving family by her side, Barbara left this earthly home peacefully and has now met Jesus her Lord and Savior face to face. No more pain, no more suffering. Her body is healed.

Barbara was born on July 24, 1934, in Erwin NC to Leon Aaron Warren and Lola Lillian Warren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bobby, her brothers Harold Aaron Warren Sr, Leon Rudolph Warren (Rudy) and Bobby Sherril Warren. Left to cherish her memories are sons William Robert Hawley Jr (Tammy), Steve Hawley (Jan), Mark Hawley (Sandy), David Hawley; 10 grandchildren:Zack Hawley (Rachel), Megan Freiburger (Ryan), Caity Hawley, Mandi Hawley, Tyler Hawley (Hannah),Sara Hawley, Michael Hawley, Rick Strahley, Chris Strahley and Jennifer Godbold (Shawn); 13 great-grandchildren: Roman Kline, Ava Rae Freiburger, Cade Hawley, Winston Hawley, Ella Freiburger, Ricky Strahley, Logan Strahley, Noah Smith, Morgan Strahley, Teagun Strahley, Shyanne Godbold, Gracie Godbold and Rylan Godbold; 2 great-great-grandchildren: Kolsen and Sawyer Godbold; sister-in-law, Joyce Hawley and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara grew up in Erwin, and moved to Massey Hill when she was in the 10th grade where she excelled in academics and sports. In high school her nickname on the softball team was Slugger Warren. Her favorite sport was basketball where she once scored 63 points in a game. Barbara was also an outstanding bowler and was named Fayetteville’s Woman Bowler of the Year in 1962.

Bobby and Barbara were married on Dec 6, 1952, and she was a faithful and loving wife for 65 years.They lived a wonderful life together and were blessed to have traveled the world visiting over 50 countries. They also loved traveling in their motorhome touring the US and Canada. Bobby and Barbara worked side by side as business partners. In 1964 their dream of opening a bike shop became reality when they opened Hawley’s Cycle and Camping Center on Raeford Road with Barbara handling all the bookkeeping. This business was the starting point for a family business operation that included all 4 sons, and eventually included Hawley’s Bicycle World in the original location on Raeford Rd; Hawley’s Camping Center in Fayetteville, Garner, Wilmington and Burlington; Hawley’s Bicycle World in Columbia SC; and The Hawley Company in Lexington SC. Methodist College named Bobby and Barbara Hawley co-recipients of the Small Business Excellence Award in 1997. Barbara loved following her UNC Tar Heels and attended hundreds of UNC basketball games and 7 Final Fours. She loved cooking and baking especially for holidays, family gatherings and reunions at their White Lake home. She loved her flowers and bird feeders. But most of all, she valued spending time with her friends, family and grandkids. Most recently, she thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing from everyone as we celebrated her 90th birthday.

Barbara was an active member of Arran Lake Baptist. She lived her life deeply committed to her Christian faith and beliefs. She loved her church and her Sunday school class members dearly. She had a generous and compassionate heart supporting her church, community, many local charities, as well as the Endowment Scholarship programs at Methodist College and the UNC Educational Foundation.

Barbara was a beautiful lady with a beautiful smile and a beautiful spirit. She leaves us with wonderful memories, and her impact and influence on our lives will be with us forever.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at Carolina Inn, Pruitt Hospice, and the ladies of Carolina Caring Hands for their compassionate care and love shown to Barbara. All of you are loved and appreciated.

Visitation will be from 1-2 on Sunday March 30 at the Arran Lake Baptist Church main sanctuary, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2 PM, and burial at Lafayette Memorial Park. Pall bearers will be Zack Hawley, Ryan Freiburger, Tyler Hawley, Michael Hawley, Shawn Godbold and Ian Maynard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Arran Lake Baptist Church, 1130 Bingham Drive,Fayetteville NC 28304.