Charles Burdette Hawkins, son of Cecil Clayton and Alice Helen (Anderson) Hawkins, was born January 11, 1932 in Lucas County, Iowa.Charles grew up in Lucas County and graduated from Russell High School with the class of 1950. Following graduation, Charles enrolled at Omaha Bible Institute; graduating in 1953. During his time in college, he was also in the naval reserves.
On February 12, 1954, Charles was united in marriage to Phyllis Marie Collins at the First Baptist Church in Russell, IA. They were blessed with nearly 64 years of marriage.
Charles was a pastor and minister of the gospel for over 50 years. He ministered in Monroe, IA, Washington, IA, Algona, Iowa; was the camp director at church camp in Indiana; resuming pastoring churches in Webster City and Mount Ayr, IA. Charles retired from the Mount Ayr Regular Baptist Church and worked part time as a janitor at Clearview Home and led bible studies. While living in Washington, IA, Charles received his Teaching Certificate from the University of Iowa. He was board member emeritus at Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa. Charles was a member of Ringgold Post #172, American Legion and the Lions Club, both in Mount Ayr.
Charles and Phyllis became residents of Clearview Home in Mount Ayr and Charles went home to be with his Lord & Savior on Friday, February 9, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law Bob DeBoom.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Phyllis of Mount Ayr; 3 children Barbara (Phil) Hamburger of Gettysburg, SD, Cecilia (Jerry) Kempf of Crawfordsville, IN and Gordon (Stephanie) Hawkins of Fairfield, IA; 7 grandchildren Curtis (Rachel) Hamburger, Melody (Grant) Lunning, Courtney Kempf, Rachael (Josh) Worthington, Charles (Keeley) Hamburger, Joshua Hawkins, and Connor Hawkins; 11 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Donna (Jim) Byers of Ankeny, IA; 2 cousins, other relatives and friends.