Riley Hawkins, Sr.

Mr. Riley Freeman Hawkins, Sr., 62, died Wednesday, August 22, 2001, at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. He was born on October 19, 1938 in Barberton, Ohio, moving to Mansfield in the early 1940s. He graduated from Mansfield Senior High and later joined the Army Reserves. He moved to Flint, Michigan, in 1962 where he was employed with Buick Motor Division Local 599, retiring in 1992. Riley accepted Christ at an early age. He was raised in the Greater St. John C.O.G.I.C under the late Elder J.E. Ward. He was also a former member of Greater Holy Temple under the leadership of Bishop Roger Jones and New Jerusalem Full Gospel Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Odis Floyd. He enjoyed singing, drawing, carving, and spending time with his family and friends.

He departs this life leaving the following to cherish sweet memories of him; devoted wife, Albirda Hawkins; four sons and their spouses, Mr. Alton Hawkins, Mr. Mark Lydia Hawkins, Mr. Corey Hawkins all of Flint, and Mr. Riley Lucretia Hawkins, Jr. of Hinesville, Georgia; two daughters and one son-in-law, Mrs. D'Wanda Reggie Mason and Ms. Katrece Hawkins, all of Flint; mother of his beloved children, Ms. Hattie Hawkins; one loving sister, Delores Hawkins of Mansfield; two brothers and their spouses, Mr. Robert Sherry Winston of Mansfield, and Mr. Lewis Willa Mae Hawkins of Buffalo, New York; step-father, Mr. Willie Mattie Winston; aunt, Mrs. Ethel Mathews; eight grandchildren, Tashica Carter, Mrs. Aisha Trenell Carter, Da'Ondra Martin, Jasmine, Shannen, Riletia, Da'Quan, and Mark Hawkins, Jr.; three great-grandchildren, Arrieanna and Honda Carter, and Rashard Johnson; mother and father-in-law, Mrs. Mary Ann Sonny Lee; two step-children, Robert and Patricia Tucker; nine step-grandchildren; many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special friends, Colt Shoulders, Woody Hightower, Joe Vickers, and Leon Martin. His mother, Gertrude Winston, father, Frank Hawkins, two brothers, Harold and Ed Hawkins, and his grandmother, Lula Mae Hall, and uncles, Robert 'Bully' Mathews, Henry Clay Graham, and J.D. Graham preceded him in death.

Friends may call at the Greater St. John Church of God in Christ Monday, August 27 one hour prior to funeral services held at 1:00 p.m. conducted by Bishop Walter Jordan. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery. The family wishes to give special thanks to MedCentral Mansfield and Greater St. John C.O.G.I.C. and Marlene Cleveland. Wappner Funeral Directors are handling arrangements.