- Ezra A. Hawkins, son of George Avan and Lydia Goans Hawkins, was born August 22, 1926, in Tekamah, Nebraska. He departed this life Thursday, August 11, 2011, in St. John's Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-four years, eleven months, and nineteen days. On April 17, 1949, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Helen Griffin, and to this union, one daughter and two sons were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy, on May 11, 2002; a brother, George Hawkins; and three sisters, Fay Thacker, Faydra Rounds, and Flo Grisamore. Ezra is survived by a daughter, Deniece Piercy, and her husband, James, of Lebanon, Missouri; two sons, Bruce Hawkins, and his wife, Janet, and Enos Hawkins, and his wife, Denice, all of Lebanon, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Jennie, Terri Jo, Angela, Ashleigh, Deidre, Erinn and Leslie; eight great-grandchildren, Shelby, Nataleigh, Josie, Katie Jo, Jenissa, Wynston, Jaylen, and Jackson; a sister-in-law, Ruby (O'Quinn) Hawkins, of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of nieces; his special Miniature Schnauzer, "Max"; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in Nebraska and then moved with his family to Lebanon, Missouri, when he was eighteen years old. He began working as a truck driver for the Southwest Motor Freight Company, and then for the Hopkins Lumber Company in Lebanon. After he and Dorothy were married, they made their home on their dairy farm, near Lebanon, and began raising their family. Ezra operated the dairy farm for a number of years, before retiring in 1991. After that, he raised stock cattle. Ezra joined the White Oak Pond Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1966 and was a longtime active member. He had served as an Elder for a number of years. He enjoyed raising draft horses and particularly enjoyed being a part of the Old Fashioned Christmas Parade in Lawrence, Kansas, for many years. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren. Ezra was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him.
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1926 - 2011 (84 years)