HARRY HAWKINS

PERRY – Harry Elbert Hawkins, 86, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, after an extended illness. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at Cross Point Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Stovall Officiating. Entombment will be in the Freedom Mausoleum in Perry Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. Flowers will be gratefully accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Cross Point Baptist Church, 645 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069. Harry was born on February 20, 1937, in Umatilla, Florida, to the late Hazel and Harry Hawkins, Sr. During his late teenage years, he met the young Joanne Bell who was visiting family in Ocala, Florida. He soon joined the United States Army and proudly served our country for several years. He was honored to be a member of the Screaming Eagles Unit. Upon his return from the military, Harry began frequently driving a great distance to Eastman, Georgia, where Joanne lived with her family. Within a year, the couple married. They settled in Perry where they would make their forever home and raise their only daughter. Harry worked in Civil Service as an aircraft technician at Robins Air Force Base and retired with over twenty-five years of service. He was active in the community and very supportive of his daughter’s and, eventually, his grandchildren’s activities. He loved being outdoors. In his younger years, he was somewhat of a daredevil on a motorcycle and was grateful for the time he took to ride his Goldwing on long trips, especially the adventures with Joanne. He really enjoyed hunting and fishing, but, as an avid golfer, much of his spare time was spent on the golf course. Harry loved Perry Country Club and was a staunch supporter to the end. Outdoor planters and flowerpots surround his home and his workshop, each filled with lovely flowers that he so carefully selected each year when new perennials flooded Argene Claxton’s greenhouses. A few of them even grew from seeds he nurtured through the seasons, and he was so proud to show off his “green thumb” when family and friends visited. Inside their home, the Holiday Cactus was his favorite plant to see and, as it turned out, they bloomed at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter each year. Harry loved to root them, plant them, grow them, and gift them. He never met a stranger and definitely enjoyed his years as an Ambassador for the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce, sharing with everyone he met his love of Perry and the fabulous assets it has to offer. Harry was a Mason and a Shriner and was an active member of Perry Shrine Club for sixty years. Harry was a charter member of Cross Point Baptist Church and the Joyful Seniors Sunday School Class. Harry’s welcoming smile and friendly personality will surely be missed by all those who knew and loved him. Left to cherish the memories they made with Harry are his loving and faithful wife of sixty-five years, Joanne Bell Hawkins of Perry; his devoted daughter and son-in-law, Angela and Alan Johnson of Perry; his grandson, Josh Taylor; his granddaughter, Halie Johnson; his great-grandson, Caden Taylor; his Aunt Doris Sims of Silver Springs, Florida, with whom Harry recently celebrated her 100th Birthday; and many cousins whom he treasured as friends. Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com. Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Tributes

HARRY HAWKINS

February 20, 1937 - September 12, 2023