Kirby Ellington Hawkins

ROCKY MOUNT - After years of declining health, Kirby Ellington Hawkins, Jr. died on Sunday, March 20, 2011 to go be with his Lord and Savior. He was born on January 14, 1918 in Wilson, N.C. and spent his early childhood there before moving to Rocky Mount in the third grade. His parents opened the Hawkins Hotel across from the train station and near the bus station. Kirby was educated in the Rocky Mount City Schools and graduated in 1934. He continued his education at the Carolina School of Commerce and Smithdale Massey Business Schools. He served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII while being stationed in Panama. After WWII he married the love of his life Dorothy Toler Hawkins in 1947. They were married sixty-three years and from this union there were no children. Kirby was a bookkeeper for Imperial Tobacco Company for many years and went to Georgia on the tobacco market in the summers. Kirby had a love for dogs and hunting and kept his dogs many years and enjoyed the out-of-doors. His family and Dr. J.W. Kinchloe, a previous First Baptist minister were dear friends and hunting partners. He was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount and was fond of his Sunday School Class. Being in declining health he had not attended church in recent years, but he kept in touch with his church. Kirby was a Mason and belonged to the Corinthian Lodge. Surviving Kirby is his sister Mildred H. Wright of Knoxville, Tenn.; sisters-in-law Margaret T. Munn and Evelyn T. Taylor of Durham, NC; brother-in-law Benjamin Franklin Toler, Jr. and sisters-in-law Bobbie W. Toler and Ann T. Dice all of Rocky Mount; many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and dear friends Nancy Harrison, Bill and Euleen Modlin and Jean and Ed Turnley. These dear friends helped Kirby stay in his home for many years by carrying him to see his wife every day and buying and cooking food. They were his angels. Preceding Kirby in death were his parents Kirby E. Hawkins, Sr. and Theodora C. Hawkins, wife Dorothy T. Hawkins, brothers-in-law Irby Wright, William M. Munn, Ernest M. Taylor and John E. Dice, Jr. A graveside service will be held at 11:00a.m., Wednesday, March 23, 2011 in Pineview Cemetery, Section 54, with the Rev. William R. Grisham officiating. The family will receive at the home of Anne T. Dice. Memorials will be accepted to the First Baptist Church Library Fund or the Building Fund. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC. You may share your memories and send the family condolences online by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Service Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801 Wednesday 3/23, 11:00 am Cemetery Pineview Cemetery 761 N. Raleigh Road Rocky Mount, NC 27801