Benjamin “Benny” Franklin Hawkins, age 83 of Gainesville born August 23, 1938, went home to be with his heavenly Father on January 25, 2022 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.
Benny was born in Gainesville, GA and lived here all his life. He is a graduate of Gainesville High school and attended both Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.
Benny was a skilled builder, an avid marathon runner, a sharp hunter and successful racecar driver. He enjoyed traveling across the country to build and race drag cars and to his home in Colorado. The homes he built, his place out west, what he called “Impossible Dream,” and his family were Benny’s pride and joy. Those who knew him heard him explain “how fortunate he was to have the friendship, the fellowship and the close family that he had.” Benny loved deeply. He loved the Lord, he loved his community, he loved his friends, and he loved his family dearly.
He founded the Gainesville Running Club and was co-owner of Seahawk Furniture, The Sportsman and Dawsonville Drag Strip. He was a member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church and an active member of the Aldersgate Sunday School class. He especially enjoyed sharing his craftsman skills through his mission work with the church and volunteering for their Great Day of Service. He was a passionate and talented man who devoted most of his days to serving and loving others.
Benny was preceded in death by his daughter, Paige Hawkins Martin, mother and father, Blonnie Mae Buffington and Edgar Monroe Hawkins, mother in-law, Betty “Beppy” French Weems, father in-law, Cecil Arthur Weems, 3 sisters and 4 brothers and granddaughter, Madalyn Louise Martin.
Benny is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Betty “Jean” Weems Hawkins, his daughter, Eve Sartain and sons in-law, Daniel Sartain and Jerry Martin; grandchildren, Brittni (Chris) Curtis, Chelsey (Kyle) Potts, Dallas (Chad) Sage, Charlie (Erin) Parks and Darci (Tommy) Fleming; great-grandchildren, Katy Paige, Parker, McCoy, Madelyn, Thomas, Tre, Hart, Deasley, Della, Carter & Hudson. Additionally, he will be dearly missed by loving nieces and nephews, extended family and countless friends.
A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 1st, at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Rev. Jamey Prickett. The family will receive friends in the Great Room of GFUMC for a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Betty Weems Nursing Scholarship at Brenau University or in Paige’s honor to the GFUMC Preschool Program (2780 Thompson Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506) or to Hospice of NGMC at https://www.nghs.com/foundation/hospice/.
Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
