Charles Ray Hawkins

Charles Ray Hawkins, 77, died Friday, November 26, 2010 following a period of declining health. He was born in McDowell County on March 30, 1933 and was a son of the late William Ben Hawkins and Annie Plemmons Hawkins. Charles was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict and was a former employee of Morganton Dyeing and Finishing.A loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Charles is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy Rhodes Hawkins of the home; his children, Rickie Hawkins and wife, Susan, Rhonda Coleman and husband, Larry, and Sandra Presnell and companion, Greg Mayer, all of Morganton, and Janet Whisnant and husband, Jamie, of Hudson; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by a son, Ervin Hawkins, and by brothers, Everett and Perry Hawkins.The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 29, 2010, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Chaplain Bill Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Faith Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the home of Sandra Presnell on Smawley Avenue, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.