Warren Hawkins

Warren George "Buddy" Hawkins, 95 years of age, of Albemarle, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the home of his son, Leonard, in Lincolnton, NC.

He was born February 20, 1921 in Eden, NC, the son of the late George Avery Hawkins and the late Myrtle Gay Harris Hawkins. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of sixty years, Betty Sue Leonard Hawkins.

Warren attended Applachian State in 1947 where he received his BS Degree in Health and Physical Education. He went on to get his Masters Degree at UNC- Chapel Hill in School Administration. He lettered in football and basketball. In 1944 while he was in service, he was voted "Mr. Applachian" in absentia. He spent 32 months in the US Air Force during WWII as a radio operator and gunner on a B25 bomber with the rank of staff sergeant.

In Asheboro, he played semiprofessional basketball for the McCrary Eagles. He served as an elementary school principal, a coach, and a high school teacher for the Asheboro School System. He was president of the Asheboro Lions Club. In 2005 he was the recipient of the Asheboro High School Award for Outstanding Achievement for Coaching and Teaching.

In Albemarle, Mr. Hawkins served as principal at Albemarle Senior High School and later served as Director of Secondary Education. President of the Albemarle Rotary Club, he was a member of Central United Methodist Church and was a past board member.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Willard Hawkins, Bill Hawkins; sisters Lois Massey, Annie Ruth Jarrett, Shirley Purtle, and Mattie Hawkins; and a special grandmother, Mattie Harris.

Warren is survived by two sons, Leonard Hawkins of Lincolnton and Glen Hawkins of Winston Salem; one granddaughter, Jennifer Punch; three great grandchildren; and three sisters, Sunshine Hawkins Bishopric, Beulah Hudson, and Mary Lee Land.

The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle on Thursday, April 14, 2016, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home's Lefler Memorial Chapel, officiated by Rev. Jim Yow. A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 1:00 PM at the family plot at Overlook Cemetery, 607 Washington Street, Eden, NC.

Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 172 North Second Street, Albemarle, NC, 28001 or to ASU Foundation/YOSEP Club, Owens Field House, ASU, Boone NC 28608.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Hawkins family.