Edward Jerome Hawkins

Edward Jerome Hawkins (Jerry) died on February 21, 2025 at the age of 85, after a long, heart-breaking period of physical and mental decline inflicted on him by Alzheimer’s. At 9:02PM he was holding his oldest child’s hand, and at 9:03PM, he was whole again & in the arms of Jesus Christ. Jerry was a life-long resident of Prattville, AL. He only left Prattville to serve his Country. He was stationed in Alaska with the Air Force when Alaska was still a U.S. Territory. He also served in the U.S. Army across 5 continents in a distinguished military career spanning over 24 years. Upon his retirement as a decorated Vietnam Combat Veteran, he returned to Prattville where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Troy University and pursued another successful career with the State of Alabama as an Auditor. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, James Edgar Hawkins, his mother, Rosie Armena Hawkins, and his sister, Betty Jean Hawkins Franklin. He is survived by his beloved & devoted wife of nearly 50 years, Sonja Hawkins; his daughter, TerreLynn Hawkins Huston (Mark); his son, Thomas H. Hawkins (Patty); his daughter, Susanne Zimbelman (Troy); his 4 grandchildren - Nicole Hawkins Giordano (Timothy), Dr. Aric Thomas Hawkins (Michael), Michael Ryan Hawkins, & Dakotah Maria Zimbelman - and his two great-granddaughters, Mandy Elaine Giordano and Alice Rose Giordano. Edward J. Hawkins was a child of God. He spent his whole life devoted to carrying out God’s will. He treated each individual with kindness no matter who they were or what they did. Every day he would pray over his family’s meal and read his family Bible, highlighting in yellow the verses he found important. Even after his ability to read escaped him, he consistently showed up to church knowing he still wanted to learn God’s purpose in his life. Today his kindness will be reflected through his family as he dances in heaven, being a guardian angel to all those he loved Jerry was a handsome man, though not vain. He had a beautiful singing voice, which he accompanied by playing his guitar - while in the Army he sang in a band & won a Battle of the Bands contest! Jerry had more 1st cousins than you can count (with a special affinity for his 1st cousin, “Little” Jerry Wright) & a grandmother he adored, Onie Ophelia Hines. He truly loved his grandchildren. He loved his Auburn Tigers, tailgating, fishing, traveling, cowboy movies, country music, & his family. His special gift was his gentle nature. He was a gentle, kind man with an infectious laugh & a great sense of humor. He will be sorely missed.

Edward Jerome Hawkins

November 23, 1939 - February 21, 2025