Celebrating the Life

Of

Johnie Sue Coxsey Hawkes Giel

March 25, 1943 - September 6, 2025

Johnie Sue Giel, 82, of Acworth, Georgia passed away peacefully at her home with her family on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

She was born in Norfolk, VA on March 25, 1943. The baby of eight children, she was raised by her mom, Kay Coxsey, and her dad, Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) John Coxsey.  Johnie Sue, known affectionately as Mom, Mema, Suzie, and 'Fred', was celebrated for her kind, generous and easy-going personality.

Most of her youth was spent in San Diego, California where she graduated from San Diego High School and met her first husband, Edward Hawkes.  Together they had two beautiful children, Tauni and Chris.  Johnie Sue and family moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida in 1979.  There, she enjoyed raising her children, playing tennis, and being a second mother beloved by many of her children's friends.

Johnie Sue made her way to south Florida where she met her current husband, Kenneth Giel. They eventually settled in Vero Beach, Florida and created a welcoming home to all who visited.  Johnnie Sue spent her best life in Vero Beach being an advocate for the Vero Beach Manatee Conservation Center, selling real estate, taking art classes, painting and drawing, hosting friends and family, traveling the world, and spending summers with her granddaughter Lauren.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 25 years, Kenneth Giel; her daughter, Tauni Sue Hawkes Dawson (John); her son, Christopher Edward Hawkes (Anne Marie); and her granddaughter and caregiver for the last 18 months, Lauren Elizabeth Hawkes.

A Catholic mass for Johnie Sue will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 1:30 pm at the Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 6301 Cedarcrest Road, Acworth, GA 30101.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St Vincent's de Paul of Georgia, C/O Saint Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, 6301 Cedarcrest Road, Acworth, GA 30101.