James F. Hawkins

He was born April 14, 1920 on the family farm in Lippencott, a son of the late Ernest Leroy and Lottie Addleman Hawkins.

His education began in a one-room school house known as Grimes School in Lippencott. He was a 1938 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan High School. He went on to graduate from Bethany College where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He later earned a Master’s Degree from California University of Pennsylvania.

On July 4, 1948, he married Mary Murdock Hawkins who preceded him in death, July 25, 2015. He and Mary had 67 wonderful years together on Jim’s family farm. The Hawkins farm, “Fair Acres Farm” is designated a “Century Farm”. Jim and his nine siblings were the third generation to live on the farm.

Jim began farming when he was a toddler. He remembered his first steps were chasing little peeps. He remembered hoeing fields of corn from “sun up to sun down”, praying for rain so he could stop. Dad had workhorses then tractors. He raised sheep, cattle, pigs and chickens in the early years then just cattle in later years. He loved sitting on the tractor and mowing and “bush hogging” all his farm acres until the age of 93. He also raised two big vegetable gardens for his family and friends. Since 2005, he had been busy helping with his daughter and son in law with raising their alpacas on the farm. He gave hay rides on the farm until age 93. Although he didn’t drive the big tractor after 93 years old he still loved to mow the lawn until two weeks ago.

Along with farming, Mr. Hawkins was a retired science teacher. He began teaching in 1956 at the Beth Center School District. He later taught in the Trinity School district from 1972 until he retired January 20, 1983. Nothing pleased him more than to see his former students and fellow teachers.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waynesburg where he served as past president on the Administrative Board and Board of Trustees. He was a 50 year member of Beallsville Lodge No. 237 Free and Accepted Masons. He was a member and past president of the Harry Enstrom Chapter of the Izaak Walton League. He was also a member of the Fort Jackson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution; and the National Education Association.

Mr. Hawkins was never too busy to help to his friends, neighbors and family. He loved hunting and fishing; and enjoyed big band music. He kept very close ties with his siblings and cousins. Each one was very near to his heart. He did not know a stranger and loved meeting people.

Surviving are four children, Dora Lynne Hornat of Waynesburg, Lena Hawkins (Phil) Galing of Waynesburg, James Murdock ( Nancy) Hawkins of Bridgeport, WV, and Mary Adele (Paul) Naylor of Oakland, MD; 8 grandchildren, Sara A. (John) Bundy of Kentucky, Mary E. Hawkins of Nevada, James D. Hawkins of Texas, Robert P. Hawkins of West Virginia, Brittany A. (Andrew) Raffin of Virginia, James A. Naylor and Heath L. Naylor both of Washington D.C., and Annika S. Naylor of Maryland; 3 great-grandchildren, Henry Rex Bundy, Jack Timothy Bundy, and Amira Marie Raffin; two sisters, Margie Bower of Boynton Beach, FL, and Sara Roberts of Media, PA.

Deceased in addition to his wife are 4 brothers, Joe, Earl, Richard, and Willis Hawkins; and 3 sisters, Virginia Harshman, Charlotte McCarrell, and Lena Hawkins.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Friends will be received 2 pm to 4 pm. and 6 pm to 8 pm Wednesday in Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson. Additional visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2016 the time of services with Rev. Gary Grau officiating. Interment will be in Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township. Beallsville Lodge No. 237 F. & A. M. will hold services at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Waynesburg, 112 N. Richhill St., Waynesburg, PA 15370 or to Bethany College. Condolences may be offered at www. behm-funeralhomes.com.