Dorothy Toler Hawkins

Dorothy Toler Hawkins, 93, passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 with her family by her side. Mrs. Hawkins, a long time resident of Rocky Mount, N.C. was born October 25, 1917 to Gertha Trull Toler and Benjamin Franklin Toler, Sr. She was the oldest of six children. She graduated from Rocky Mount City Schools in 1934 and went on to attend Woman's College and graduated in 1938 with a B.S. degree in Secretarial Administration. She taught school in Zebulon, N.C. two and a half years and a year at the Baptist Children's Home in Thomasville, N.C. It was at Thomasville that she was invited to work at the Baptist Mission Board in Richmond, VA. She left the Mission Board in 1947 to marry the love of her life, Kirby Ellington Hawkins, Jr. They were married in the First Baptist Church by a dear friend and minister, Dr. J. W. Kinchloe. She took a job with the Atlantic Coastline Railroad after marriage and worked for 30 years until retirement in 1977. Dorothy loved the Lord and her church, First Baptist Church. She was a leader in the Women's Missionary Union, created many programs and posters about work all over the world. She volunteered at the information desk at Nash General Hospital and worked with the Red Cross. She enjoyed her many friends and her bridge club. Mrs. Hawkins was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin Franklin Toler, Sr. and Gertha Trull Toler; infant sister, Josephine Trull Toler; and brothers-in-law, Irby Wright, William M. Munn, Ernest M. Taylor, and John E. Dice, Jr. Dorothy is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Kirby Ellington Hawkins, Jr.; her sisters, Margaret T. Munn and Evelyn T. Taylor, both of Durham, N.C.; brother, Benjamin Franklin Toler, Jr. and sister-in-law, Bobbie W. Toler; and her youngest sister, Anne T. Dice, all of Rocky Mount; and sister-in-law, Mildred H. Wright of Knoxville, TN. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews survive Mrs. Hawkins. Arrangements are by Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home with the funeral service and visitation at First Baptist Church of Rocky Mount. The family will receive from 10:00am to 11:00am Saturday, February 19, 2011 with the funeral service following at 11:00am. Rev. William R. Grisham will officiate and burial will follow in the Pineview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at other times at the home of Anne T. Dice. Memorials may be sent to the First Baptist Church Library Fund or the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 200 S. Church Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, NC. You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation First Baptist Church (Rocky Mount) 200 S. Church Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-9113 --> | Saturday 2/19, 10:00 am - 11:00 am Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801