Ronnie Hawkins - LHS Class of 1949

His circle of life complete, CMSgt (ret), USAF, Ronnie D. Hawkins, Sr, 87, of San Angelo, Texas, passed from this life and went to his home in heaven July 30, 2018. Though he left us in spirit many months ago, his body went peacefully into the Arms of The Lord. Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s robbed us of his final years, but we are left with memories of him as we knew him then. Ronnie was born July 25, 1931 to Charles and Ruth Hawkins in Leavenworth Kansas. Ronnie married Loretta English (LHS Class of 1951); they were married for 53 years and had 5 children together. 
Ronnie was a 1949 graduate of Leavenworth High School, and received his Bachelors of Business from Angelo State University in 1979.
Ronnie joined the Air Force August 12, 1949 and retired as a Chief MSgt on September 1, 1976. He served in Security Service (now known as Intelligence) in the Communications career field at various assignments to include Newfoundland, Pakistan, Alaska, and Texas. He was the first African American Chief Master Sergeant at Goodfellow AFB. He also served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Ronnie was ordained a Deacon, at St Paul Baptist Church in San Angelo, and served as Deacon Emeritus at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church where he was a member until his death. 
Survivors include his children, Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr. and wife Maria of San Angelo, Genevieve S. Mathis of Lewisville, Arthur D. Hawkins and wife Kimry of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Shawn L. Spell of Lewisville; two sisters, Fredonia Grissom (LHS Class of 1954) of Leavenworth, Kansas and Drucilla Hawkins of Biloxi, Mississippi; 14 grandchildren, Ronnie D. Hawkins, III, Andrew L. Martin, Jr., Joshua Hawkins, Charles Hawkins, Vernon Hawkins, Justin Mathis, Loretta Mathis, Antonia Martin, Sydnee Spell, Ashley Spell, Chelsea Jackson, Ereka Genese, James Dudley Hawkins, and Christine Honesty; and 16 great grandchildren, Clayton Hawkins, Thomas Hawkins, Gabriella Hawkins, Elena Hawkins, Kyla Honesty, Camryn Honesty, Alexis Lacy, Ashlie Martin, Andrew Martin, III, Bryan Hawkins, Jeremiah Mathis, Ava Williams, Kimry Genese, Jaya Genese, Rosa’Lynn Martin, and Za’Kai Moody. 
Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Hawkins; a daughter, Roslyn Martin; his parents, Charles Hawkins and Ruth Roberts; his siblings, Charlene, Oczen, Maceo, Charles, and Plez; and two sons-in-law, Andrew Martin and Donald Spell.
The Hawkins family thanks Courtney Sartain and the staff at The Springs Memory Care, Solaris Hospice Service, and Dr. Nussey at Shannon Medical Center for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Ezra Vision Ministries, which is a ministry Ronnie supported by sponsoring a child.
Viewing will be from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Robert Massie Funeral Home, Services will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2018, at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church with his son, Rev. Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr., officiating. Burial will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 10, 2018, at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Together ♥♥♥ Forever

 Loretta “Babe” English Hawkins died on Monday, April 21, 2008, after an extended illness.
She was born on Nov. 10, 1933, in Leavenworth, Kansas to Carl and Loretta Carther English.
On June 15, 1952, she married Ronnie Hawkins (LHS Class of 1949) in Leavenworth. Because of his military career, she traveled to many countries. After retirement, they settled in Flower Mound, Texas. He survives at the home.
She is also survived by two sons, Brig. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins Jr. (Maria) of Washington, D.C., and Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur Hawkins (Kimry) of Fort Sill, Okla.; two daughters, Genevive Mathis and Shawn Spell (Donald), both of Flower Mound, Texas; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Iola Hawkins of Texarkana, Texas, Charlene Briscoe and Druscilla Hawkins, both of Minneapolis, Minn., and Fredonia Grissom (LHS Class of 1954) of Leavenworth; several nieces and nephews, including one niece, Sandra Woodard (LHS Class of 1959), who lives in Leavenworth; and several cousins.
Visitation and funeral services will be on Monday, April 28, 2008, at Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Lewisville, Texas. Interment will follow at the VFW National Cemetery in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.