My favorite memories of "Unk" always seem to involve either playing golf together (especially the "Trophy Presentations" at the nineteenth hole), or listening to his music. His favorite golf saying was, "Wish I knew what I did," whether his shot was a good one or a bad one. One of my earliest memories is of him playing his guitar and singing at our home on Stratford Rd. in the early fifties. A special treat was anytime I could sit and listen as his father-in-law, Carl Sparks, accompany him on the fiddle. Later on, I got to hear him play with Tony Cooley, Ralph Farmer, and the other members of the Eagle Ridge Bluegrass Band, as well as the "Front Porch Flattops" (James Goodman, Jules Dilday, Mark Oglesby, Ken Lee and others) at "The Mansion on the Hill", Eagle Ridge Lodge.
Of course, traveling with Unk and Aunt Peggy was always a barrel of fun for Cathey and me. Whether it was to Florida, North Carolina, Wyoming, or Missouri, we would laugh ourselves silly. Nobody could tell a story like Unk, I guess because he told them so often. He would always start by saying, "I probably told you this story before." Of course he had, but we loved hearing those stories no matter how many times he told them.
Rest in Peace, Unk.

I was always so proud of my Uncle Claude. I remember being at his and Aunt Peggy’s house when he would either be getting ready to go to work, or coming in from work. I thought he was so handsome in his police uniform and bragged about him to all my friends. 

Another memory is when I was between four and six years old. Uncle Claude “nursed” me during a super painful ear ache. Always a big chicken when it came to first-aid, I totally trusted Uncle Claude to put a piece of paper, set on fire, mind you, into my ear to make it stop hurting. If Uncle Claude was doing it, I knew it was all going to be okay. 

I think that’s what we all thought-as long as Uncle Claude was around to protect us,  we would be okay. Now he’s not here. I believe Uncle Claude would tell us that we are still protected, as he was, by the hand of God. 

Our family moved away and I lost contact with Uncle Claude, Aunt Peggy, and their kids for a long time. Work and distance got in the way. I still loved them as much as ever-always will. Some very sweet day, in the not-too-distant future, we will have a family reunion like no one has ever witnessed. We will spend eternity together.  It’s only because of Jesus that I can say that. 

Uncle Claude, you will be missed beyond measure. Til we meet again...

Love,
Sherry

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Peggy Hawkins

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Claude Edward Hawkins

December 20, 1930 – December 8, 2020

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