Flora Jean Hawthorne

She was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois where she met the love of her life Abraham Hawthorne. There was an instant connection between the teenagers and they married immediately after high school. Their loving marriage continued to grow for 64 wonderful years.

They moved to Chicago in 1962 for a better opportunity for their growing family. Jean worked for the Office of Personnel Management for the state of Illinois, where she administered state job testing. Abraham worked for the Chicago Police Department. While they were able to adequately provide for their family, they knew God had a bigger plan for them.

They moved to Phoenix in September of 1982 to start their entrepreneurial journey. They later opened A and J Barbecue, the name representing Abraham and the four daughters and Jean. Not only were they very successful, the restaurant afforded them the opportunity to meet so many wonderful Phoenicians, expanding their family in Christ.

Jean will always be remembered as a wonderful woman, fantastic cook, sweet, beautiful spirit, smart and brave woman of God. She had a wonderful life. Her warm and loving spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Our hearts are broken by her passing because we love her so much. But we know God loves her more.

Jean is survived by her husband, Abraham, four daughters Anita and Kirk (Chicago), Amber (Phoenix), Aundrea (Atlanta) and Adrianne and Fateen (Atlanta), and three grandchildren Ariana (Walnut Creek, California), Kira (Chicago) and Kirk (Chicago).

She was preceded in death by her mother Clara, father Clinton and bonus mother Ruth.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Skyway Church, Goodyear, Arizona food ministry in her honor.

A memorial service for Flora will be held Friday, October 4, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, Arizona 85338.