ST. MARY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: HAWKINS, VERNON Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: Jones Funeral Home, Inc., Morgan City and Franklin, La. Died: Thursday, September 15, 2011 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= NOTE: If a Photo is available for an obituary record, a reference note will be included with the record. ======================================================================= HAWKINS, VERNON (May 5, 1929 - September 15, 2011) ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/stmary/obits/dateobits/2011/sm1109.htm and click on the name of interest. ========== Vernon W. Hawkins, age 82, a resident of Morgan City, La., died Thursday, September 15th, 2011 at 4:45 PM at his residence. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church from 9:00 AM until funeral at 11:00 AM. Burial in the Morgan City Mausoleum. It is with great sadness that the family of Vernon Webster Hawkins announces his passing. Vernon went to his eternal rest on Thursday, September 15, 2011, after a protracted battle with cancer. He was born on May 5, 1929, in Washington, D.C. to the late Laura Peterson Hawkins and Allen Clifton Hawkins. He attended Armstrong High School and after graduation, he studied Architectural Engineering at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He proudly served our country in the Army during World War II. He received the World War II Victory and Army of Occupation of Japan Medals. Vernon held a life membership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #3263 of Mystic, Connecticut. He was also a member of American Legion Post #589 of Patterson, Louisiana. In 1952, Vernon joined General Dynamics-Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut as a design engineer. He was proud to have participated in the development of the worldŐs first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus, commissioned in 1954. Vernon was featured in Ebony Magazine in the Early 1950Ős. He subsequently became operations director and later shipping port site manager in Holy Locke, Scotland and Rota, Spain. He was then promoted to program manager for overhaul and repair. Vernon retired in 1990 after 38 years. During his employment he received many commendations for outstanding performance. In his retirement, Vernon volunteered for Shiloh Baptist Church in New London, Connecticut as program manager, overseeing the construction of the Family Life Center. He served on the board of directors for the Shiloh Development Corporation and later as consultant for the operation and program development of the Family Life Center. Vernon was baptized at Grace Methodist Church in Fairmount Heights, Maryland at an early age. In 1997, he and Pat relocated to Morgan City at which time he united with Walmsley United Methodist Church for several years. He served in many capacities including Trustee Board and MenŐs Ministry. More recently, he participated in worship and fellowship at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, George Allen Hawkins; one sister, June Hawkins; three sisters-in-law: Henrietta Hawkins, Constance Randle, and Nelwyn Jones; three brothers-in-law: Louis Eggleston, Sr., Edward Jacquet, and Rudolph Jones. Vernon is survived by his devoted wife, Patricia Banks Hawkins; two daughters: Vicki and her husband Michael Jones, Sr. of Chevy Chase, Maryland and Valerie Hawkins of Silver Spring, Maryland; one grandson Michael Jones, Jr.; one granddaughter Jocelyn Magsumbol; one sister, Virginia Eggleston of Lanham, Maryland; two sisters-in-law: Betty Jacquet of Morgan City, and Marva and her husband Whitney Madise of Berwick, Louisiana; he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Though he was a reserved and private person, he expressed his love and concern through giving of his time to others. Endlessly energetic, he was constantly in his workshop or yard, building, repairing, or remodeling things. There was no task he would not tackle. He was a man you could count on to get the job done and to help in a time of need. Vernon was an avid sports and football fan. He was a season ticket holder first with the New England Patriots and later the New Orleans Saints. Vernon was always willing to lend a helping hand and his spirit of giving will long be remembered. A Chapter ended; a page turned. A life well-lived; a rest well earned. ===================