Hoyt Devore Hawkins

A memorial service for USAF Retired Major Hoyt Devore Hawkins, age 84 of Attalla, will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 1:00pm at Freedom Church (301 N 12th Street Gadsden). Bruce Word officiating, Morgan Funeral Chapel announcing. Private burial with full military honors will follow at the Alabama National Cemetery at a later date.

Major Hawkins graduated from Gadsden High School class of 1953. He attended Jacksonville State College and the University of Alabama. He was a Major in the United States Air Force having served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring after twenty two years. He was a lifetime member of the American Model Association, former President of Gadsden Radio Control Flyers, and a member of the Air Force Control Line Championship team where he set many records. He owned Hawk’s Hobbies, was a back-up trumpet player with The King of Swings, was an avid golfer, and a serious jokester!!!

Hawk was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Dorothy (Goggans) Hawkins; daughter, Sandra Williamson; sister and brother-in-law, JoAnn and Chalmer Harris; mother-in-law, Glaciona Lucas Montgomery; nephew, Nathan Harris; Robert (Linda), Ronald (Mary), Richard (Debbie); and furbabies, Rebel and Lillie

He is survived by his wife, Frances Montgomery Hawkins; daughter and son-in-law, Terri (Hawkins) and Stanley Bengtson; mother of his two daughters, Anne Addison Hawkins; Nieces and nephews, Harper, Renee, Donna, and Todd; other children, David Gaskins, Dean and Julie Gaskins and Janice Gaskins (Richard) Mechling; grandchildren, Christopher (Ryanne), Lauren, Luke (Carlie), Cassie (Zane), Emily (Cameron) Tommy and Celina (Dominic and Victoria); Sean (Nicole) Bengtson, and Michelle (Alister) Caddy; great-grandchildren, Daniel, Jett, Barrett, Ava, Ella, Evelyn, Alister, Bennett, and Wyatt; brothers-in-law, Thomas (Peggy) and Bobby (Joyce); a host of nieces, nephews, and family in California; and furbaby, Bogey;

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Encompass Hospice, Gadsden Regional Medical Center MICU, Dr. Asif Kaleem, Dr. Sandra Carpenter and the nurses, and caregiver Kesia Marrie