Henry Lavell Hawkins, age 78, Hackleburg, AL passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014 at his residence. He was born in Tomnolen, MS on Sunday, October 20, 1935 to James Charley and Thelma Biggers Hawkins. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 25, 2014, 5-6:30 p.m. at Hackleburg Community Church. The service will follow at 6:30 p.m. at the Church. With burial inMcCurtain’s Creek Cemetery, Tomnolen MS 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Thelma Hawkins. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife, Lydia Montijo Hawkins; daughter, Elizabeth Anne Knowles; son-in- law, Bishop Clint knowles Jr; grandsons,Gabriel Knowles and Michael Knowles;granddaughter, Elizabeth Brianna Knowles;sister, Elizabeth O’Neal; brother-in-law, Hank O’Neal; brother, Charles G. Hawkins; sister-in-law, Shirley Hawkins host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers, Ronnie Stidham, Greg Stidham, Joey Stults, Charles Stidham, Josh Weatherly, Floyd Balcer. Honorary pallbearer, Dustin Atkins Marion County Funeral Home assisted the family.
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Lavell was one of my 15 flight students in Bible School (BTC) in April 1954 in Cleveland, Tennessee. His solo flight was one to remember, even by one who has taught so very many to fly. His takeoff was to the north at the Cleveland Airport, the plane did not climb to more than a 100 feet just above the tree tops. He flew a 360 degree turn, very shallow and very low to come back to the runway. Upon landing, he discovered that he was missing his safety-belt. It was tied around the control stick in the rear resulting in his inability to make the plane climb to normal height. We all shared great relief and laughter after it was all over.