Franklin Hawkins

Mr. Ernest Franklin Hawkins, "Frankie", died Monday, August 22, 2022 at his residence surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer.  A funeral service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, August 25th at 2:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Warthen with burial in Brownwood Cemetery in Sandersville.  Reverend Dr. Clarke Hawkins, Reverend M.D. Cabe and Reverend Anthony Baker will officiate. Pallbearers will be Kristi De La Rosa, Pete De La Rosa, Stephen Hawkins, Matthew Hawkins, Jessica Lewis, Jon Alston Lewis, Spencer Hawkins and Jeff Chandler.  Honorary Pallbearers will be deacons of Bethlehem Baptist Church as well as Kim Kitchens, Wayne Norris, and Aubrey Wiggins.

Mr. Hawkins was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County, the son of the late Ernest Clarke Hawkins and the late Stella Reynolds Hawkins.  He was reared in Warthen where he attended school and graduated from Sandersville High School. Frankie began working at the age of 13 driving a log truck for his father's logging business. He began a fruitful 43-year career with Thiele Kaolin in 1958 retiring in quality control. Frankie possessed a lifelong love of farming and enjoyed cutting hay for himself and others. He was known as a "Volkswagen Beetle Specialist" for his ability to fix and repair them as well as for his vast collection.  Frankie loved woodworking and enjoyed making furniture for family and friends.  He was a long-time member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.  To his family, he was known as "Big Daddy".  Frankie cherished time spent with his family and has left each with a legacy of love.  In addition to his parents, Mr. Hawkins is predeceased by his son, David Hawkins, grandson, J.J. Larimore and brother, Lamar Hawkins.

Survivors include, the love of his life for 60 years, Fannie Watkins Hawkins; children, Glenn Hawkins and his wife Jennifer and Sharon H. Lewis and her husband Tony all of Warthen; grandchildren, Kristi De La Rosa and her husband Pete, Stephen Hawkins and his wife Jessica, Matthew Hawkins, Jessica Lewis, Jon Alston Lewis and Spencer Hawkins; great grandchildren, Avery De La Rosa, Ansley Hawkins, Madalyn Hawkins, Zander Hawkins, Kayleigh Ann Larimore, Caydon Larimore, Grayson Larimore and Bryce Larimore; one great great grandson, Jaiden Larimore; and brother,  Rev. Dr. Clarke Hawkins and his wife Trish of Virginia.

The family will be at their residence on Highway 15 North, Sandersville and they will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at May and Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville.

Donations may be made to The Gideons, P.O. Box 891, Sandersville, Ga. 31082 or Bethlehem Baptist Church, P.O. Box 85, Warthen, Ga. 31094.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements.  Share a condolence at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com