James Wallace ‘Buddy’ Hawkins

Mr. James Wallace “Buddy” Hawkins, 78, a well-known resident of Calhoun, died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at Emory University Medical Center following a brief illness.

Mr. Hawkins was born in Murray County on April 4, 1934, son of the late Luke and Gladys Mashburn Hawkins. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Beth Bowen Hawkins, on Aug. 13, 2005.

Buddy grew up in Murray and Gordon counties, attended Murray County schools and was a loyal and devout fan of Calhoun Yellow Jacket athletics.

He grew up on a farm and always loved to garden. He delightfully shared his special variety of tomatoes, along with other vegetables, with his neighbors and friends. Buddy was an avid golfer and a long-time member of the Calhoun Elks Lodge. On Dec. 31, 1990, he retired from Wellco Carpet, where he served as Vice President of Operations. He was a member of Calhoun First Baptist Church.

Buddy is survived by a son, Jason Hawkins and his wife Candi of Calhoun; a granddaughter whom he loved dearly, Bailey Beth Hawkins of Calhoun; a sister, Virginia Hawkins Ripley of Dalton; a brother, Lamar Hawkins of Resaca; nieces, Carla Ripley and her husband Roger Lawson of Dalton, Jennifer Bowen of Dewey, Colo., and Kim Logan of Hiram; nephews, Shane Bowen of Fairmount, Matt Bowen of Rockmart and Kevin Logan of Hiram; great-nieces, Virginia Leigh Lawson and Caroline Lawson of Dalton, Darby Bowen of Fairmount, and Chloe and Amelia Edwards of Hiram; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Terry and Pat Bowen of Calhoun; and a brother-in-law, Seth Bowen of Rockmart.

Funeral services will be held today at 4 p.m. from Calhoun First Baptist Church with Dr. Bert Vaughn and Dr. Brent Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Fain Cemetery with the Rev. Eddie Brannon conducting the committal service.

Pallbearers serving include Creswell Black, Larry House, Mickey Pass, Gary Stewart, Al Edwards, Therrell Goswick, Jack Brumlow, Ray Weddle and Ronald “Pee Wee” Potts. Honorary pallbearers are Max Parrott Sr., Billy Baugh, Paul McEntyre, Ron Woods, Spence Causey, Harris Housley, Paul Cleveland, Michael Wright, Terry Wright, Ron Morris, Ken Edwards and Russ Edwards.

The family will receive friends today at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home until time to depart to the church for the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Calhoun Athletics Department, the Calhoun Band Boosters or the Calhoun First Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be expressed and the guestbook signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com.

Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home, a legacy of compassion and care, is in charge of funeral arrangements for Mr. James Wallace “Buddy” Hawkins of Calhoun