Jack “Pokey” Hawkins

Long Branch Community - Jack “Pokey” Hawkins, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at his residence.

Born in Anderson, SC, on February 13, 1926, he was the son of Guy and Allie Ashley Hawkins.  He was a member of Long Branch Baptist Church.  He served in the United States Marine Corp during WWII.  While serving his country, his company stormed Okinawa twice.  Jack served in Hiroshima and was witness to the surrender of the Japanese on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, marking the end of the war.  He received a battlefield commission of Corporal at the Battle of Sugarloaf Hill in Okinawa.  Jack worked at Milliken and for his family’s landscaping business.  He lived and farmed in the Long Branch Community all of his life. 

He is survived by his children, Tim Hawkins and his wife Debbie and Jackie Hawkins McCullough; four grandchildren, Brent McCullough, Courtnie Black and her husband Brandon, Charity Hawkins, and Brandon Hawkins and his wife Katie; four great-grandchildren; a son-in-law, Larry McCullough; and a sister, Cynthia Strickland. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Freeman Hawkins; brothers, John Tom, Joe, Clyde, and Sam Hawkins; and sisters, Francis McMahan and Margie Fagg.

The Graveside service with military honors will be held at Long Branch Baptist Church Cemetery on Friday, April 3, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Wayne Watson officiating.   

The family will be at the home of his son, Tim, and will receive friends on Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at The McDougald Funeral Home.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com