OBITUARY MSGT (Ret. ) Edward B. Dawkins, Jr. October 21, 1925 – November 6, 2018 LEXINGTON – MSGT (Ret. ) Edward “Ed” Brice Dawkins, Jr., 93, widower of Patsy R. Dawkins and beloved father of seven, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
Mr. Dawkins was born October 21, 1925 in Lando, SC, to the late Edward B. and Sadie Allen Dawkins. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2018 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel, with interment to follow in Southland Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Michael Hickman, Mendell Hickman, Justin Dawkins, Keith Dawkins, Steve Weathers, Jr., Russell Dawkins, Daniel Dawkins and Cameron McGill. Honorary Pallbearers are Lloyd Jeffcoat and Evan Dawkins. The family will receive friends following the service at 109 Stockman Drive, West Columbia.
Mr. Dawkins retired in June 1965 as Master Sergeant in the US Air Force after serving in the US Armed Forces for a total of 21 years. His time served covered three wars; World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War. During Mr. Dawkins’ military career, he activated and deactivated numerous bases, was an instructor of the Air Force ROTC at the University of South Carolina and served as Air Advisor for the 187th Tac Recon.
After military retirement, Mr. Dawkins started his second career with Southern Railroad where he worked as an agent for 21 years and retired in April 1989. Mr. Dawkins was a member of the Lando Baptist Church, American Legion Post 130, Transportation Communication International Union, Grand Association of Veteran Railway Employees Chapter 2, and the Lake Murray Association. Ed loved his family, close friends, and his country.
He always made sure his voice was heard and recognized the true value of supporting his family, community and country. He was an avid golfer while in the military, coin collector, and later had a passion for auctions which he called his “social time”. At the end of his life is an open door, and beyond that threshold there is peace.
Ed was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Ganey (Randy) of Swansea, Norma Jean Dawkins of Lexington, Tonya McGill (Brian) of Lexington; sons, Edward “Gene” Dawkins (Sara) of Belton, Texas, Dennis Dawkins (Lynn) of West Columbia and Dwayne Dawkins (Karen) of Cayce; 18 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and his beloved sister, Willette Ernandez of Richburg. Mr. Dawkins was predeceased by his wife, Patsy R. Dawkins; daughter, Sandra Marlene Harwell; grandson, Jared Dawkins; brother, Joseph Dawkins and sisters, Annie Ray Long, Polly Culp and Dot Mobley.
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