Raymond Hawkins

Raymond E. Hawkins, 87, formerly of St. Joseph, died peacefully on Friday, January 27, 2006 at his home in Platte City, MO surrounded by his loving family. Ray was born in Alma, Arkansas in 1918, the son of the late Elijah Allen and Ida Jane (Williams) Hawkins. Although his formal education was cut short by the onset of the Great-Depression, Ray confirmed his love of learning througout his life. He enjoyed walking in the woods, hunting, fishing, and taking his kids to the park to feed the ducks and to watch the planes take off at the airport. He was employed in the construction trade for 60 years, until his retirement in 1995. He was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Goldie (Lee) Hughes; sisters, Hazel Hawkins, Elizabeth Christine Smith, and Letha Pierce; brothers, George and Wesley. He is survived by his sons, Ray (Butch) and partner Bill Wolf of Kansas City; Lee Hawkins with Mary Ann McCrae of Kansas City; Warren and wife Bethany of Kansas City; Roger and wife Lareta of Kansas City; and daughters, Sharon Crossette of Provo, Utah; Terry Freyberger and husband Larry of Platte City, MO; and Gwen Evans of Huntington Beach, CA. He is also survived by sister, Agnes Stokes of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; brothers, Warren of Ft. Smith, Arkansas and Joseph of Alma, Arkansas; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and numerous other family members and friends. A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall on Sunday, January 29, 2006 at 2:00 PM to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Northtown Hospice of Kansas City Hospital or the charity of their chioce.