Ronnie Hawkins was born March 9, 1948 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and passed away on October 29, 2010, at the age of 62, at his home in Harker Heights, Texas.
Ronnie was a graduate of Harris High School in Belton, Texas and of the Los Angeles Community College with a degree in criminal justice.
Ronnie proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as an Airman First Class.
Ronnie was a long-time Gospel singer and performed with various doo-wop gospel groups. He sang with the Del Vikings, The Ink Spots and The Drifters. After three years with The Drifters, he moved to the Blue Notes.
After his mother passed away, Ronnie began to write his own songs and formed his own group to perform them. His group was the HB&F, standing for Hawkins, Brother and Friends. His brother, Elmo, was part of the group as well as his wife, Sandra.
Ronnie was the winner of the 2010 Essence Gospel Music Award, and had been honored for his musical achievement by the USA Gospel Magazine.
At the time of his death, Ronnie and his wife owned Jesus Christ First Records in Killeen, Texas.
Funeral services were held on November 6 at Branford/Dawson Funeral Home in Temple, Texas.
On Monday, November 8, a funeral procession and coach carried Ronnie’s flag draped coffin to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment services with military honors.
At the committal shelter, the roadway was lined with fifty American flags, blowing briskly in the Texas wind. As the coach passed through the lines of flags, Patriot Guard Riders stood at attention and saluted, in honor of another fallen veteran. The Riders then formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter.
After the coffin was transferred to the shelter, the gathering of family and friends was led in final prayers by the minister. The United States Air Force Honor Guard then rendered the military honors. The bugler played taps, and the flag that draped the coffin was folded into the traditional triangle and presented to Sandra on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Air Force and a grateful country in thanks for Ronnie’s faithful service.
The service concluded with the singing of Amazing Grace by an Army sergeant, as the family and friends filed past the coffin and placed on it red roses.
Ronnie Hawkins, Sr. was laid to rest on the gentle slope of the cemetery and the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, four sons, a daughter, four brothers, four sisters, nine grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
‘twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
With thanks to the Temple Daily News and the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.
Thank you for this lovely memorial of my dear and beloved husband Ronnie Hawkins Sr. You have expressed his life of integrity and dignity to serve his country in a most respectable and honorable way. Our family is in deep appreciation of this post in honor of Ronnie's service to our country. I could not have asked for more. With sincere thanks, Mrs Sandra Hawkins.
ReplyDeleteWow what impressive achievement my cousin Ronnie gained. I wish I could have gotten to know him and spend time with him writing and ministrying songs of zion with him & you Sandra. God bless, be encourage, and know that the Lord WILL SEE YOU THROUGH!!!! much love, Nyvellya Roanoke, Virginia(by way of Houston, Texas)
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