Football Time in Tennessee brings both special memories and sadness for Donna Hawkins

Donna Hawkins had the idea, and neighbor Missy Collins carried it out, a back window tribute to Hawkins’ sons, missing since 2021.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The faded Tennessee banner still hangs on the side of the house. The Christmas tree in the living room still hasn’t been moved, and Donna Hawkins heart’s still heavy. Not much has changed around Hawkins’ Ridenour Lane home since August 2021 when her boys, as she calls them, just vanished without a trace.

“I know they’re not coming back, but I just need some closure,” said Hawkins. See a related story HERE.

The Christmas tree at the Hawkins home is not coming down until there is closure in the disappearance of Scott and Tracy Hawkins.

Donna Hawkins was ready to cheer on her Vols Saturday parked in front of her neighbors big screen TV.

It was around 9am Friday, August 6, 2021, when brothers Scott Hawkins, 51, and Tracy Hawkins, 44, told their mother they were going ginseng hunting on the south end of the county as they left out from her her home. They parked her 2006 Chevy Trailblazer along Highway 116 across from of Holley-Gamble Funeral Home, now the Leach Family Funeral Home and Cremation, near the Campbell-Anderson County line. That’s where she found the maroon Chevy the next day.

The Trailblazer was parked near where the Hawkins men said they’d be on that fateful Friday.

Friends and neighbors have offered support over the years though none more than the Collins family who live across the lane. Missy Collins, husband Waylon and seven-year old son Braxton have been there for Hawkins, especially on Tennessee game days like Saturday.

Just minutes before the 12:45pm kick-off, Hawkins made her way down and across the street to the Collins’ home. She was greeted with smiles and a hug from Missy.

Missy barely had the snacks ready before Tennessee scored its first touchdown in its win over Chattanooga.

“They keep an eye out for me, too, especially Braxton. If there’s a strange car in my driveway, Braxton’s checkin’ on me,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins’ hope has not wavered to try and find out just what happened to Tracy and Scott. “I want to keep their memory alive. I’m not forgetting, and I hope the community won’t either,” said Hawkins.

Donna Hawkins, Waylon, Missy and Braxton Collins all cheered when the Vols rang up the first touchdown of the season.

On this Game Day, though she was a few houses down the street watching the Vols play Chattanooga, and her boys were right there with her, in her Big Orange heart. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/02/2024-6AM)

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