Charles Henry Hawkins

Remembering Charles

Charles Henry Hawkins, the only child of the late Consovella Hawkins and Hornsby Howell, was
born August 10, 1929, in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia.
As a toddler, he and his mother moved to Philadelphia, PA where his aunts, RuNell (née
Hawkins) Smith and Mabel (née Hawkins) Nesmith, resided. He accepted Jesus Christ as his
personal Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at the Tasker Street Baptist Church.
He later joined The Salem Baptist Church of Jenkintown (now Abington).
He was educated in the Philadelphia School District and graduated from Edward W. Bok
Technical High School in 1948.
Soon after he enlisted in the military. He started in the Air Force, where he was briefly stationed
in Hawaii. He then decided to transfer to the Army to become a Paratrooper and served in the
Korean War. He was part of the “Triple Nickel,” also known as the 555th Parachute Infantry. He
was stationed at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina until he was honorably discharged in 1952.
Shortly after he married first wife, Geraldine Clayborn. From this union were born three children:
Charles Albert, Phyllis Denise and Vinina Michelle Hawkins. With his second wife, Bettye
McCleary, he became a father again to two girls, Beth Lynn and Vanessa Darnise. He had two
sons from previous relationships, Daru Almond and Dwight Najee Divers. He found love again
later in life with long-time companion, Mildred Cowan.
Charles was a proponent of education and hard work. He retired from the City of Philadelphia’s
Water Department after 30 years of service in supervision at the Southwest Water Pollution
Control Plant. Never idle, he started another career doing what he loved, driving. He drove
limousines for Eagles owner, Jeffrey Lurie, and former Eagles player, Duce Staley. He also
drove buses to the casinos in Atlantic City. Finally, he drove for various local funeral homes until
he retired again at the age of 80.
Beyond being a hard worker, Charles enjoyed life. He was a very proud brother of the
Campbell-Washington-Joppa Lodge #37 for more than six decades and even served two terms
as Worshipful Master. He was also an avid fisher and a long-time member of “The Men of the
Sea Fishing Club”. He also liked to swim, travel, chat, take photographs, and watch sports and
The Game Show Network. He loved to tell stories and had the best smile and laugh. He was a
sharp dresser and always smelled so good. He was friendly and would never shy away from a
good conversation, during which you could hear any number of his catch-phrases like “And at
the same time” or “The fact of the matter is”. If you asked him how he was doing, he would smile
and respond “That’s my business.” And Ladies, I hate to burst your bubble, but if he greeted you
with “Hello, Beautiful” or “Hi, Shug”, it’s because he couldn’t remember your name. He was
charismatic, warm, personable and loved by all who met him. His absence is already felt and he
will truly be missed.

Charles departed this life peacefully early Thursday morning on December 5, 2024 at Abington
Memorial Hospital in Abington, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his dear aunts
RuNell and Mabel, beloved daughter, Vanessa Darnise (Hawkins) Sellers, and adored
companion Mildred Cowan. He leaves to cherish his memory, six children: Charles Albert (Jo
Ann) Hawkins, Phyllis Hawkins, Vance ‘Daru’ (June) Almond, Vinina Hawkins, Dwight Divers,
and Beth Hawkins; son-in-law, Joseph ‘Jay’ Sellers; many grandchildren, among them, Shalon
(Martrice) Sharpe, Kellye Hawkins (Otoniel Rodriguez Devers), Charles ‘Tony’ (Tiffany)
Hawkins, LaMar Hawkins, Nihessah Almond, Daru Almond, DaNasha Brown and Maya Sellers;
great grandchildren; childhood friend, John Keels; and close friends Edna Wooden, Carolyn
Mitchell, Charles & Ruby Zeigler, and Alonzo Kittrels.

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