Frances Luceta Hawes was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on October 8, 1922, to Ivor and Leila Mason.

Frances enjoyed a happy childhood in Montego Bay with her parents; two sisters, Hazel and Naomi; and her brother, Bill. She always described her childhood as filled with love, laughter, and many childhood pranks carried out by Frances and her siblings. Frances kept her joking nature and rich sense of humor throughout her life.

She loved to tell stories of her parents’ horse and buggy carriage that they would ride to church and of the many wonderful fruit trees that she enjoyed as a child. Frances always spoke of loving the vibrant colors of Jamaica’s landscape, but her favorite color of all was purple.

Growing up, Frances was brilliant and excelled in school, especially mathematics. She also had a beautiful soprano singing voice and sang solo parts in the choir at church as a child. She loved to sing the old Christian hymns, especially her favorite, “The Old Rugged Cross.”

As an adult, Frances moved to Kingston, Jamaica, and married Joseph Benjamin Hawes, Sr. The marriage produced eight children. During her time in Kingston, she put her genius mathematics mind to work – a mind that allowed her to solve immensely complex math problems in her head – as she managed a fabric store that she and her husband owned and, later, when she worked for many years as a bookkeeper at the popular store, “Hardware and Lumbar.” She also put her math skills to use when she worked for years as a fare collector on the public buses in Kingston.

Frances migrated to the United States in the 1960s and lived with her cousin for many years in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. Upon arriving in the U.S., she immediately began the process of sponsoring each of her eight children to join her. When her children arrived, she worked tirelessly to make sure they had everything they needed to succeed. In fact, she devoted her entire life to providing and caring for her children, especially her precious daughter, Millie. After leaving Pennsylvania, Frances moved to Florida, ultimately purchasing a house in the Oakland Villas community where she resided with Millie for the rest of their lives. The two were inseparable on Earth and are now reunited in Heaven.

Prior to coming to the U.S., Frances gave her life to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in 1956, and He became her rock and source throughout her entire life. Her favorite advice to everyone was “trust Jesus.” Every night, she spent countless hours praying for her family and friends, calling each person by name before God. Given her life of prayer and love for Jesus, it was unsurprising that she spent the last few weeks of her life repeatedly quoting Scripture. She used her last breath and strength to sing songs of praise and express shouts of adoration to her Savior.

Frances had a lifelong fascination with clocks and had one (and sometimes more) in each room; she would say that she always needed to know what time it was. Her favorite hobby was talking on the phone and dispensing motherly advice to everyone who called her, and many call her their “second mother.” Her children fondly referred to her as “CNN,” as she was the most reliable way to spread information. She showed her love and care for her family and friends not only through her consistent communication with them, but also by remembering every single person’s birthday and calling to sing them the entire “Happy Birthday” song – with her signature “Yay!” at the end and joy, cheer, and love shining through her voice.

In her 103 years, Frances changed the course of generations. Through her sacrifices and dedication to her family, she created a future full of new possibilities for her descendants. Frances could have chosen any path, but she chose the one that would create the most opportunities for her children and generations to come. She chose a path that took her to a new country, a path where she had to face an unknown future, a path that sacrificed her own dreams and prioritized the people she loved over herself – and for that, and for so much more, we will always be grateful. Her legacy will endure forever.

Frances is survived by her children, Maureen “Patsy” Escoffery, Joseph Hawes, Jr., Hyacinth Grey Kucik, Samuel Hawes, and Lorraine Paynter; her step-son, Stephen Hawes; her sister, Hyacinth Mason; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her sons, Winston Hawes and Jacob Hawes; her daughter, Mileta “Millie” Hawes; her step-son, Constantine Hawes; her parents, Ivor and Leila Mason; her brother, Bill Mason; and her sisters, Hazel Beckford and Naomi Debourg.

Funeral Service were held on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale followed by Graveside Services at 2:00 PM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 South State Road 7, North Lauderdale, Florida 33068.

Services entrusted to Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024.