Edgar Hawkins

Edgar Benjamin "Ben" Hawkins At age 92, Edgar "Ben" Hawkins entered the gates of Heaven on July 27, 2016. Born in Ettrick, VA, on September 10, 1923, his childhood years were spent playing in sports, baseball being his favorite; and hunting with his father and brother. He was a faithful member of Ettrick United Methodist Church, where he was a lay leader. Ben moved to Dinwiddie early in life, where he was a 27-year charter member of Namozine Fire Department, member and president of Gerow Ruritan Club; and a coach of little league baseball. He retired after 33 years of government service at Fort Lee; and continued to participate in the Fort Lee Lunch Bunch well into his golden years. Ben enjoyed reminiscing with friends from Petersburg High School, attending Petersburg Old Geezers Organization (POGO) luncheons. He was deeply patriotic and served in the United States Army during WWII, in the Pacific, with the 497th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. He served as the chaplain of the American Legion Post 284 for over 25 years, where he received many citations: but his most cherished was the "The Four Chaplains Award". His favorite past times were fishing, gardening and riding his bike; all of which he was able to do into the last years of his life. Ben married the love of his life, Charlotte Pond Hawkins; and the two lived in Colonial Heights. They travelled to many places in America, visiting their children and enjoying new adventures together. He was a very proud granddad, attending dance recitals, baseball games, basketball games, track meets, Boy Scout events and graduations for his 6 grandchildren: Jennifer Kilpatrick, Jessica Kilpatrick Melin, Christian Burne, Connor Burne, Casey Tomlinson and Kendall Tomlinson. He also enjoyed visits from his 4 great-grandchildren: Raelynn, Maylee, Charlotte and Benjamin Melin. Ben was very active until his death; recovering from many health setbacks over the past four years. His will, determination, and zeal for life were admired by all who knew him. He was an inspiration to all, encouraging everyone to live life to its fullest. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Elmer Hawkins and Ruth Hawkins; his brother Elmer "Pete" Hawkins, Jr.; his sister Rose Hawkins; and his wife Charlotte Pond Hawkins. Ben will be greatly missed by his son, Tom Hawkins of Modesto, CA; his step daughters, Denise Pond Berry and her husband, Doug, Robin Pond Burne and her husband, Chris, and Karen Pond Tomlinson and her husband, Chuck; his niece, Linda Sue Stoltz and her husband, Michael; his nephew, Ronnie Hawkins and his wife, Debbie; 6 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and his ‘girl Friday' caregiver, Kelly Hearle. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2016 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Interment will follow with Military Honors in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia. An American Legion Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 31, 2016, with visitation to follow until 5:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation, 1201 Constitution Ave, The Navy Yard, Building 649, Philadelphia, PA 19112-1307 (http://www.fourchaplains.org). Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Visitation Details

Sunday, July 31st, 2016 4:00pm - 5:30pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small

Service Information

Monday, August 1st, 2016 1:00pm, Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small