Raymond was born in Newberry, South Carolina on April 15, 1926, to the late Erastus Leroy and Gladys Evelyn Brennan Dawkins. Raymond and his 7 siblings grew up in a mill village during the depression, and Raymond thereafter remained thrifty his entire life.
At the age of 18, Raymond enlisted in the United States Army and served in Europe in the 36th Infantry Division during World War II. He was awarded two bronze stars and the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service. In 2022, Raymond had the honor of traveling to Normandy with the Best Defense Foundation to participate in D-Day commemorations.
Taking advantage of the GI bill, Raymond attended Newberry College while working evenings at the cotton mill. He met his future wife, Margaret, at a square dance. After a move to Pickens, Raymond worked as an Industrial Engineer for the Singer/Ryobi Company for 32 years. Raymond was a longtime member of Pickens Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. Always willing to help others in need, Raymond volunteered at the Literacy Center, Habitat for Humanity, and Meals on Wheels. He taught night school math at the local high school as well as Tri-County Tech.
Raymond was humble and always considered himself just an “ordinary man”. He loved country music, cards, playing golf, piddling in the garage, rafting waves in the ocean, and riding his mower. He took great pride in his family and learned to use an iPad in his later years to see pictures of his children and their families.
He had a great sense of humor which he maintained to the very end.
Raymond is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 74 years, Margaret Franklin Dawkins; three children: Glenda Shuler (Baron) of Marietta, Georgia, Janet Wade of Rossville, Georgia, and Susan Herring of Rome, Georgia; six grandchildren: Jessica Shearer (Steve), Zach Shuler (Tyler), Winston Herring (Candie), Spencer Herring, Jackson Wade, and Gracie Wade; six great-grandchildren: Grady, Paige, Grant, and Tessa Shuler, and Ella and Ethan Shearer; and two sisters, Barbara Amick of Ware Shoals, SC, and Mary Helen Ward of Laurens, SC.
In addition to his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter, Isabella Wade; three brothers: Ernest, J.T. and Kenneth Dawkins; two sisters, Doris Mills and Mae Dawkins.
Funeral services will be conducted at Pickens Presbyterian Church on Monday, July 7th at 11am, followed by a burial at the church cemetery and a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pickens Presbyterian Church or the Pickens Senior Center.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
