James Horace Hawkins, 91, passed away at Bethany House in Auburn AL on Sunday October 29, 2017. Horace was born May 2, 1926 to the late James Gordy and Dixie Scales Hawkins in Chambers County. He attended Fairfax School and later served in the U.S. Navy during WW2 on the USS Queens (APA103) in the Pacific. He piloted a Landing Craft Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), or a “Higgins Boat”, delivering soldiers to the beaches. His travels during his time in the Navy took him through the Panama Canal, to Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Iwo Jima, Guam, Hilo, Hawaii, Saipan, Sasebo, Japan, the Philippines and across the International Date Line. After the war Horace worked in textiles with West Point Stevens long enough to be in the 50 Year Club.

In his younger years Horace was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed SEC football, his Church and Church family, and he loved his family, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was very active in his church , the Fairfax First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. For several years he enjoyed working with Carpenters for Christ.

Mr. Hawkins was predeceased by three wives: Edna Maddox Hawkins, Carolyn Boyd Hawkins, and Ruth Talley Hawkins. He is survived by his son James G. (Lona) Hawkins of Lanett, two grandchildren Hayley (Gavin) Kleinknecht of Atlanta, Meredith (David) Kelton of LaGrange, five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews he loved very much.

Visitation will be at Bluffton Funeral Services in Lanett AL on Wednesday, November 1 from 1:00 EDT until 2:00 EDT followed by a Memorial Service.

Pastors Jim Green, and Keith Gambill will officiate.

Memorials can be made to Fairfax First Baptist Church in Valley AL .