FAWN GROVE - Bro. Edward Royce Hawkins, 88, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the North Mississippi Medical Center. He was born October 13, 1936, in Fawn Grove to Edward Clinton and Mittie Lou Leslie Hawkins. He was saved and surrendered to preach at age 17 at Boguefala Baptist Church. He went to Jacksonville Baptist College in Jacksonville, TX, from 1955 to 1957, where he met his wife. He also played basketball at Jacksonville Baptist College. He then went to William and Carey College from 1957 to 1959 where he received his BA. He then pastored at Little Creek Baptist Church in Perkinston. He also worked with the State of MS BMA Missionary program and helped start the first BMA Youth Camp in State of Mississippi. He then pastored at Queen Lane Baptist Church in Jackson. He moved back to Itawamba County where he pastored at Tombigbee Baptist Church from 1963 to 1991. He later pastored at Zion Baptist Church and filled in other places. He currently was the associate pastor at Boguefala Baptist Church where he also worked with the youth. He always loved working with the youth in the churches he served. He had a radio program for 30 years out of the Fulton radio station called "Gleaning from The Word."

Bro. Hawkins was not only involved in the Lord's work but also in the education of many people. He taught middle school math for 33 years, mostly at Mantachie. He ran the clock for Mantachie basketball for many years and for football for over 40 years. He was inducted into the Mantachie High School Football Hall of Fame in 2023. He coached little league baseball in Friendship community during the 1970s and 1980s and also coached the fifth and sixth grade basketball teams. He enjoyed reading his bible and watching basketball, especially women's college basketball. He also loved animals, especially his dog Rebel and cat Jill.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 19, at the Boguefala Baptist Church with Bro. Roger Akers and Bro. David Perry officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one daughter, Vicki Hawkins Cates, of Fawn Grove; three grandsons, his caregiver, Chase Cates of Fawn Grove, Bill Hawkins (Heather) of Lockport, LA,  and Clint Hawkins (Shelby), of New Albany; two granddaughters, Andrea Rakestraw (Brett) of Blue Springs, and Danielle Trimble (Connor) of Kossuth; nine great grandchildren, Brody Rakestraw, Jonah Rakestraw, Caleb Rakestraw, Ali Hawkins, Mark Hawkins, Jack Hawkins, McKenna Norris, Mason Norris, and Kinsley Hawkins; two sisters, Ellen Hawkins of Columbus, MS, and Jane Talbert (Mike) of Tupelo; twelve nieces, two nephews, and other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Billie Jean Hawkins; one son, Rick Hawkins; two sisters, Phyllis Hawkins Harper and Laurie Hawkins Teague; two sisters-in-law, Janette and A.J. Ward, and Barbara and John Halsey; his mother and father-in-law, Bill and Macy Wilson; and his parents.

Pallbearers will be Chase Cates, Bill Hawkins, Clint Hawkins, Brett Rakestraw, Connor Trimble, and Alan Estes.

Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Martin and Anthony Hodges.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the McNeece-Morris Funeral Home in Mantachie and on Monday from 10 a.m. until service time at the Boguefala Baptist Church.

Condolences may be shared with the Hawkins family at www.mcneecemorrisfuneralhome.com.