Gweneth Lee Hawkins Studstill, 84, a long-time resident of Opp, Alabama, passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness on Friday, November 21, 2025.  Born on July 9, 1941, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Stanley and Virginia Hawkins and raised in Anaheim, California, Gwen met the love of her life, Henry Hamner Studstill, while both were employed at Yellowstone National Park for college summer jobs.  After saying "I do" under the watchful eyes of "Old Faithful",   they eventually married and Gwen followed her husband back to Alabama where she lived the better part of the last 60 years.  She lived her life as a quiet and devoted servant of God, family, and those she loved.

After working multiple jobs to help her husband complete his education, Gwen worked full time to raise her family in various jobs in Covington County to include work at Van Heusen, Interiors by Virginia and Ansley Place as well as decades of service at The First United Methodist Church of Opp.  Known for her skills as a seamstress, Gwen made many drapes, wedding dresses, bridesmaids' dresses, prom dresses, and performed alterations for hundreds of Covington County residents. Earlier in life, she was highly sought after to make Mardi Gras costumes in Mobile and Pensacola. She found joy in simple pleasures that drew her family together such as weekends at the family cabin in Gantt, family holidays, and other celebrations.

She is loved and survived by her daughters, Margaret Anne (Rowdy) Barton, and Julia Leigh (Clark) Taylor; granddaughters , Dr. Madyson Taylor (Robert) Moore and Anna Kate Taylor; step grandchildren, Josie Barton Moatts and Coleman Barton; and step great-grandchildren, Luna and Ember Moatts. She is also survived by her sister, Garnet Hawkins Edmunds; and brother, John Hawkins. She also leaves behind a wide circle of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and extended family from the Hawkins, Sparks, Hamner and Studstill families. Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Virginia Hawkins; husband, Henry Hamner Studstill; sister, Joelen Hawkins Blanchard; and beloved in-laws Henry and Julia Kate Studstill.

In a long life that spanned multiple generations, Gwen will be remembered for the love that she gave, her servant attitude and service to others, and the family she held close. She will be forever remembered.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at The Blake Senior Living Facility in Miramar Beach, Fl for the great and loving care Gwen was provided while she was ill. Specific thanks to The Blake staff members Diana, Jess, Andi, Emily, Claudia, Crystal, Sam (x2), Christina, Jessica, Selena, and Geri for making Gwen's last year of life comfortable and taking care of Gwen's family .

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 25, 2025 from the Opp First Methodist Church with burial following in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Bro. Gary Miller will be officiating with Coleman Barton, Rowdy Barton, Robbie Moore, Jack Moorhead, Jimmy Snow, and Clark Taylor serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Opp First Methodist Church in her name.