Paul L. Hawkins

Paul Lafayette Hawkins, 89, of Prosperity, widower of Dorothy Anne Hawkins, died Friday, July 16, 2021, at Agape Hospice House in Lexington.

Born on June 15, 1932, he was the beloved son of Henry Bates and Bertie Ruth Hawkins. He graduated from Prosperity High School in 1951 and attended Midlands Tech. He served in the SC National Guard for nine years. He retired from American Fiber and Finishing after 45 loyal years. He was a loving husband, father and Papa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Dorothy Anne. He fell in love with her when she was sixteen and knew he would marry her one day. They were married when she was 18 and he was 20. They were married for 65 years before her passing in 2018. The love they had for one another was an inspiration to their family. A lifelong resident of the Stoney Hill Community, Paul was blessed with good friends, neighbors and dear cousins whom he cherished. He was an only child but loved by so many who deeply cared for him. He loved getting together with his sister in laws and cousins to share a meal. He enjoyed going to the Saluda Livestock Market with friends and family. His youngest granddaughter, Caitlin, went with him many times when she was a child. The tradition continued with his oldest great grandson, Paul. If it was a Monday, he would be in Saluda at the cow sale with friends or family. He enjoyed tending to his cattle, land and took great pride in his pastures.

His children are Pamela (Harvey) Brown of Lexington and Kent Hawkins of Prosperity. Grandchildren are Erica (Tony) Waites of Lexington, Mindy (Rick) Hope of Irmo, Jessika (Jake) Peters of Elgin and Caitlin (Ryan) Norris of Charleston. Great grandchildren are Paul Waites, Emery Waites, Isaac Hope, Kaylee Hope, Tyler Peters and Brice Peters.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2021 in St. Luke’s Lutheran Church by the Reverend Jason Schafer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 4056 St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Road, Prosperity, SC 29127.

The family would like to thank Lovelace Family Medicine and his many doctors and nurses at Lexington Medical Center, Newberry EMS, Prosperity Drug Store and Agape Hospice House in Lexington. Especially two wonderful Hospice nurses, Annie Jones and Deborah Griffin, who lovingly cared for him the last month of his life. He was a kindhearted, selfless man to his family and friends and will be sorely missed by all who loved him.