Clifton Franklin Hawkins

Clifton Franklin Hawkins died on March 2, 2017, 22 days short of his 100th birthday. He was born on March 24, 1917 in Bedford County near Cifax to the late Clifton E. and Olivia C. Hawkins. He attended Cifax High School and New London Academy. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942. He served in the British West Indies, assigned to the 9th Bomber group and was later transferred to Goldsboro, NC and was honorably discharged in 1945.

After World War II, Mr. Hawkins attended several college courses in Business and self- improvement and worked for Vaughan’s dealership serving as the New and Used Car Manager. He completed work to receive a diploma from the School of Modern Photography in Professional Photography, was a Certified Locksmith from Locksmith Institute of America. He was owner and operator of Hawkins Ice and Cold and founder of Hawkins Lock & Key.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 68 years, Virginia J. Hawkins; by his sisters, Christina Abbott, Edith Brooks, Arline Owen, and bother Edward M. Hawkins, and half-brothers, Wayne J. Leftwich and J. Preston Leftwich.

Mr. Hawkins was a member over 65 years of Centenary United Methodist Church. He served as President of the Couples Sunday School and the Chapel Class; he was a member of the official board for a number of years, and served on the Membership & Evangelist Committee.

He was a Shriner for over fifty years, an AF &AM Mason, A 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Chapter York Rite Masons, over 50 year member of American Legion, and was 60 years in United Commercial Travelers.

Mr. Hawkins is survived by his children Barbara H. Dieterman (John)of Saint Simons Island, GA , John Hawkins of Lynchburg and Wayne A. Hawkins (Stephanie)of Amelia, VA, grandchildren, Grandchildren, Christina Elwell (Jason) of Panama City Beach, FL, Kathleen Sammarco (Dino) of Atlanta, GA, Emily Hawkins of Lynchburg, Stephanie Hayes (Adam)of Brunswick, GA, Danielle Hawkins , Taylor Hawkins and Cody Hawkins of Amelia and great-grandchildren, Emma and Brody Elwell of Panama City Beach, FL , Avery Hayes of Brunswick, GA and Easton Hawkins of Amelia.

Being a Freemason was an important part of his life but nothing could replace his love for the Church.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Centenary U.M. Church with the Rev. Doug Gunsalus officiating. Interment will follow at Virginia Memorial Park in Forest.

The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m., Friday, March 3, 2017 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel.

To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.whittentimberlake.com.