Ray Earl Hawkins
March 2, 1921 ~ June 21, 2004
Resided in:
Leicester, NC
Ray Earl Hawkins, son of the late Zora Belle Ollis Hawkins and David Napoleon Hawkins, passed away peacefully Monday, morning, June 1, 2004, at his home following a brief illness.
Ray Earl is survived by his wife and constant companion of 37 years, Doris Wright Hawkins. He spent almost his entire life in Leicester, raising four children, Lori Bemis, Kathy Carpenter, and Julie Hawkins, all of Leicester, and Ray Hawkins of Marshall. In addition to his wife and children, Ray Earl left an earthly legacy in his grandchildren, Justin Carpenter (son of George and Kathy Carpenter), Ian Hawkins, Emme Hawkins, and Keeley Hawkins (children of Ray Hawkins and Lynda Conterato Hawkins), and Savanna Hawkins (daughter of Julie Hawkins), as well as three great-grandchildren, Ashley Reese, Emory Carpenter and Ciera Carpenter (daughters of Justin and Kim Carpenter).
His surviving brothers and sisters include Faire Blakely, Verna Lockwood, and Wilma and Harold Parris, all of Asheville, Billy C. and Dell Hawkins of Leicester, David and Lisa Hawkins of Leicester and Eula and Joe Rodriguez of Jacksonville, FL.
Ray Earl was a graduate of Biltmore School and Catawba College. A veteran, he served as an airplane instrument mechanic in the Army Air Corps during WW II. He worked as a chemist and manager at American Enka for 42 years until his retirement to his farm in Leicester in 1983.
Respected and admired by his loved ones, Ray Earl was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. Although quiet, he was known to enjoy a good laugh, often driving his loved ones to screams with his exploits. Ray Earl did not openly express his love often, but rather showed it with everything he did. There are many people who have benefited from his presence, his guiding touch, and his loving actions. A true man of honor, he will be greatly missed.
A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Norris Wright officiating. Burial will be at Snelson Cemetery.
His family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
Flowers will be appreciated or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
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I’ve known few men as soft spoken and kind as my Uncle Ray was. I never knew he was a WWII vet but hearing it did not surprise me because he always seemed so honorable.
My thoughts go out to my favorite aunt and my Julie bird. May they continue to be there for each other.
Love from your niece and cousin,
Kim
Uncle Earl, I will never forget your generous hugs and warm eyes every summer of my childhood. Curt is waiting for you so you can finish that last bail of hay. God Bless you and your beautiful family.
Tickie
We never had the honor of meeting Mr. Hawkins, yet send our condolences, especially to Lori Bemis, whom we have met at family reunions for the descendents of Vistie Hawkins Smith.
Our sympathy and prayers are with you all in your sorrow.
We are so sorry to hear of Mr: Hawkins passing, but the lord saw fit to bring him home. Our prayers and thoughts are with you Lori, and your family. May God support and bless you and your family through this sad and difficult time.
Benson and Betsy Metcalf
Lori you’re in my thoughts and prayers along with the rest of the family. May God bless and give you comfort during this time of sorrow. Love, Cloria & Paul
Lori you’re in my thoughts and prayers along with the rest of the family. May God bless and give you comfort during this time of sorrow. Love, Cloria & Paul
Doris & family,
I worked with Ray at Enka. He was a true gentleman. My prayers are with you.
Doris & family,
I worked with Ray at Enka. He was a true gentleman. My prayers are with you.
Doris & family,
I worked with Ray at Enka. He was a true gentleman. My prayers are with you.
Doris & family,
I worked with Ray at Enka. He was a true gentleman. My prayers are with you.
Doris & Family – I am so sorry to learn of Ray’s passing. I just got to work when Beverly told me about this. You and your family have my heartfelt sympathy.
Doris & Family – I am so sorry to learn of Ray’s passing. I just got to work when Beverly told me about this. You and your family have my heartfelt sympathy.
Please accept my deepest sympathies in the loss of you father and husband. Ray will be missed by all.
I worked with Earl in the fields and on the grading of my land.He always had a smile and something funny to say.A good man.
I worked with Earl in the fields and on the grading of my land.He always had a smile and something funny to say.A good man.
My prayers are with you during this time. You have so many happy memories to remember of your life together. Ann Higgins
Roy (Boosie) and I are deeply sorry to hear of Uncle Earl’s passing. He was indeed a great uncle to us and loved by all.
With much love, – MJ and Boosie xxxooo
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of my Uncle Earl. I was unable to attend his funeral, however I did get to visit him in the hospital and it was a very special visit one I will never forget. Uncle Earl was like a father to me after my own father died, as well as my best friend at different times in my life. The love that my Aunt Doris and Uncle Earl had for each other was a love that many married couples do not have for theirs was one of a kind. I loved and respected my uncle and he and my Aunt Doris stood up and took up for me when no one else would and for that I will always be grateful. I will truly miss my uncle. I was his buddy as well as his gloria cause that is what he always called me. My prayers and thoughts are with my aunt Doris and his family at this time. God Bless each and every one of you.
Doris, Julie, Lori, Kathy, Ray, Jr. and Families,
I am thinking of you and wish you peace and precious memories. I fondly remember Mr. Hawkins from when I was a child on the farm at Uncle Clenon’s. He was always there to lend a helping hand when one was needed most and did so with a smile and a kind word. The writeup in the paper was very touching.
Freida Wyatt (used to be Reeves)
Justin & Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your grandfather’s death. I know you were very close and this is a difficult time for you and your family.
You certainly look alot like your grandfather and it I’m sure he had a full and wonderful life.
I know you are going to miss him very much.
Please accept my sympathy,
Mary Wise
I have been and will continue to remember your entire family in prayer.
Lori,
Sorry to hear of your father’s passing and pray that the Lord will be with you and your family in this time of loss.
Karen
Dear Doris & Family:
I was very sorry to hear of Earl’s passing. I was out of town at the time, but my prayers are with you all in this time. If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know. To the children, I lost my dad in October, and I truly know what a loss you have suffered. May God bless and be with you all.
Gary & Lynn Fox
Amanda & Samantha