James Daniel Hawkins' Obituary
James Daniel Hawkins also known as TB left this earth at the age of 74 on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 1:05 a.m. in St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born in Brownsville, TN on March 17, 1933 to Nathaniel and Blanchie Hawkins. He and his wife of 52 years, Jerdine Taylor-Hawkins, were married on June 25, 1955. He was a retired employee of Wagner Castings and worked part-time as a custodian at the Decatur YMCA.
To the union of James and Jerdine six children will continue his legacy – three sons James E., Tyrise Victoria, and Ryan; three daughters – Evyonne, Cynthia Ann, and Valerie; 21 grandchildren - James L., Tyrone, Tamia Kenneth, ZaCarlin, Shontez, Tamika, Dioandre, Chalan Roland, Tyrise D.Coretta, Ninfa, Tyrisha, Tailee, LeMichael, Terrance, TJ, Tahara, Chame, Janaiya, Ryan D., Raeana, and Zahria; 13 great-grandchildren – Janiya, Shakeisha, Tyrone Jr., Kena, JonTavius, Kennedy, Decorion, Destyni, AJ, Malik, Roland Jr., Tashauri, and Tarian.
He also leaves to cherish his memory: his mother Blanchie Ripley TN; brothers Curtis and Gene Kay Chicago IL, Johnny Calumet City IL, Steven Annette Brownsville TN; sisters Dorothy Faye Bond and Racine Jerry Russell Ripley TN; brother-in-law James Taylor Decatur IL; sister-in-laws Vernice Hawkins Rockford CT, Robin Hawkins Chicago IL, Eartha Hess Plainfield IL, and Jonnie Taylor Decatur IL; daughter-in-laws Rena Jones Decatur IL, Dawn Hawkins Greenwood IN, Ernestine Hawkins Peoria IL, Versie Austell GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ben & Hester Henning and Robert & Annie Hawkins, father Nathaniel, brothers Robert and Carthell, his grandchildren Cordero and Afeni, sister-in-law Vera Hawkins & brother-in-law Leonard Hess.
Special thanks to family members who sat with us during the final days; friends and family who came to visit; Doctors Fritz, Verma, and Velasco; and a special thank you to St. Mary's Hospital ICU and fourth floor nurses who took such good care of him and the family members sitting with him day and night; and to everyone who offered a kind word, prayer, sent a card or email wishing him well, and who provided food/drinks for the family.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur IL. Visitation will be held 10-11:00 followed by a memorial service from 11:00 – noon. Burial will be in Macon County Memorial Park. The obituary has been written by the family of James Daniel Hawkins. Professional services provided by Moran and Goebel Funeral Home
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