Rufus Carl Hawkins

He was born March 4, 1930 in Iuka, Illinois to Emery G and Iola Hill Hawkins. He graduated from Mt. Vernon Township High School in 1949, and attended Lincoln Bible College. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was an ordained Christian Church minister for more than 25 years, serving a number of churches in Illinois and Florida. He moved to Bradenton in 1964, where he served at several area churches until his retirement from the active ministry in 1985. He also retired from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department in 2003 as a victims advocate.

He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Leigh and Grant Hawkins, and sister Mary Wilson. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Willa Mae Hawkins, sons Bradley, Emery (Doreen) and Rodney, all of Bradenton, daughter Beth (Chad) Williams of Arcadia, nine grandchildren, brothers Dewey of Illinois and Glen of Florida, sisters Grace Davenport of Georgia, Violet Green of Oklahoma, and Pheba Smith of Ohio.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 21st from 6–8 PM at Manasota Memorial Funeral Home, 1221 53rd Avenue, East in Bradenton. Services will be held Monday, March 22nd at 2:00 PM at Whitfield Christian Church, 3530 Whitfield Avenue in Bradenton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238.