Ricky Doyle Hawkins

Born on March 11, 1961, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ricky was the seventh and youngest child of Dorothy Louis Hawkins and Walker Roscoe Hawkins, Jr. Though not raised in the church, he experienced a profound salvation encounter with Jesus at age 15 at Bethany Church that would define the rest of his life. From that moment, the call of God became unmistakably evident.

As a young man, Ricky was mentored by Bishop Carlton Pearson, with whom he began full-time ministry in 1980. In his early years of ministry he traveled across the nation evangelizing, he helped establish churches and served as an associate pastor. He became a preacher’s preacher known for his passion, visionary leadership, and unwavering resolve.

In 1993, Bishop Hawkins founded Family Praise Center, now Place for Life, in San Antonio, Texas, with just 80 members. That small church would grow into a vibrant, multi-cultural congregation of over 5,000. His ministry there became a regional hub of transformation, birthing major initiatives like:

• The Apostolic Training Center / Rick Hawkins School of Ministry, equipping leaders for spiritual and practical success;

• The School of Excellence in Education, Texas’s largest faith-based charter school, which educated more than 1,800 students and named its high school in his honor;

• David’s Mighty Men, a foundational men’s ministry built on loyalty and character;

• And community outreaches like Back to School Bash, Thanksgiving Dinners, and Christmas with a Cause, blessing thousands of families in need.

Bishop Hawkins' vision extended internationally. He helped establish schools in Durban, South Africa, founded an AIDS counseling center in Mamelodi, and helped in planting churches abroad, including in Togo, Africa.

He was a published author, writing several influential books including David’s Mighty Men, The Power of Agreement, The Inner Circle, The Benjamin Blessing, The Wall, Training Your Thinking, and The Blessing. He also released a worship album entitled Take Us In and an instrumental album, Just Playin’ Around, showcasing his love for music.

Among many accolades, Bishop Hawkins received the San Antonio Black Achievement Award for excellence in ministry—becoming the first white recipient of this prestigious honor. He was a keynote speaker for the Martin Luther King, Jr. March in San Antonio, the largest in the country, and was featured in numerous publications including Ministries Today by Charisma magazine.

He was a cowboy at heart. He loved his horses, cattle and LOVED his team roping. His relationships within the cowboy community were some of his favorite.

He often said, “Relationship is the currency of the Kingdom and the network of life.” And oh did he live that. Bishop Hawkins was beloved by all that crossed his path. His friendships were rich and long lasting. If you knew him, you loved him.

In his later years, Bishop Hawkins, along with his wife Jovahna, pastored Quest Church in Norman, Oklahoma, where he continued to faithfully oversee until his passing. His voice, vision, and mantle remain alive in the leaders he raised and the lives he transformed.

Bishop Hawkins is survived by his loving wife Jovahna Edith Hawkins; his children Dustin Doyle Hawkins (Erica), Crystal Danielle Harbert (Justin), Kendra Nia Casmir, and River Ricky Hawkins; and his grandchildren Jayla, Haylee, Nia, Julius, Damara, Paxton, Prescott, Ricky Pheonix, Thaddeus, and Zachariah Casmir. He is also survived by his siblings Walker Randolph (Randy) Hawkins, Walter Douglas (Doug) Hawkins, Josie Louis Hawkins King, and Gloria Ruth Hawkins Babin, and a host of extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings William Gene Hawkins and Constance Yvonne Hawkins Daigle.

Bishop Hawkins leaves behind a legacy of faith, excellence, compassion, resilience, and unwavering leadership. He lived to raise others, to call out destiny, and to show what it means to walk with integrity, humility, and kingdom purpose.

“Success to you and Success to the Kingdom of God.”

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Memorial Details:

A Public Viewing will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The Celebration of Life Service will begin at 12:00 PM on August 14, 2025

at Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258.

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In Honor of His Legacy:

To honor Bishop Hawkins’ life and impact, you may:

• Send floral arrangements for the service to:

Porter Loring Mortuary West

1710 W Loop 1604 N, San Antonio, TX 78251

• Make a memorial donation in his honor to:

Place for Life or Quest Church

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Pastoral RSVP:

Pastors and ministry leaders planning to attend the service, please kindly RSVP to Pastor Joshua Reyes at [email protected]