Jimmie Dawkins

Jimmie Dawkins was born on September 5, 1928 in Lynch, Kentucky, the seventh of nine children to the late Henry and Bessie Mae Dawkins. He was preceded in death by all eight of his siblings. After the tragic loss of both his parents (Henry in a coal mine accident and Bessie Mae with childbirth complications), the remaining four children were taken back to Union, South Carolina to live with Henry’s sister Florence Dawkins Jeter. She forced the children to drop out of school and work on her farm. Jimmie completed the eighth grade. The hard farm work and lack of a loving environment forever changed their lives and it became unbearable for all of them. Jimmie moved to neighboring cities to live with his older siblings and work odd jobs. Eventually, Jimmie enlisted in the Korean War in an all colored troop. He was in charge of gasoline tanks and maintenance to the pumps. While serving in the Army when he was stationed at Ft. Devins, he met Muriel Gomes. They kept in touch. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he eventually moved to Cleveland with his two brothers, Ernest and Floyd. He got a job with General Motors in April of 1953 where he remained for 40 years. Jimmie and Muriel got married in Boston in 1954, when Jimmie came there to visit her. To this union Deborah and Darlene were born. Jimmie and Muriel divorced after 38 years of marriage, but remained friends. Jimmie enjoyed baseball and football games and had season tickets for both. He was a Mason. He was an avid golfer and bowler and won trophies and awards for both. Jimmie had a big hearty laugh. He was a joke and story teller. He was very devoted to his family and was very interested in his family history and reunions. He once organized a family reunion all by himself! Jimmie loved to travel and went to lots of warm weather destinations with groups of friends. He lived in Las Vegas for 23 years and was pretty successful with the slot machines. Jimmie loved music and loved to dance. Jimmie lived a full life and leaves to mourn his daughters, Deborah Dawkins Callahan (Charles), and Darlene Dawkins, grandson, Graham Callahan, ex-wife Muriel Dawkins, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Humbly submitted,

His Loving family

Remember me

Don’t remember me with sadness,

Don’t remember me with tears,

Remember all the laughter,

We’ve shared throughout the years.

Now I am contented

That my life it was worthwhile,

Knowing that I passed along the way

I made somebody smile.

When you are walking down the street

And you’ve got me on your mind,

I’m walking in your footsteps

Only half a step behind.

So please don’t be unhappy

Just because I’m out of sight,

Remember that I’m with you

Each morning, noon and night.