Kenneth Bradford Hawkins, Sr., age 93, of Selmer, Tennessee passed away surrounded by family on June 24, 2026. He was born in Selmer on November 20, 1932 to the late Mary Edith Miller Hawkins.
His legacy is one of great achievement, most of all being a beloved husband, father, grandfather and community leader. He played basketball at Selmer High School, which began his accomplished athletic journey.
Kenneth attended Union University in 1951 on a basketball scholarship. He was a starter for three years and captain of the team in 1954. While at Union, he was an ATΩ All-American and made the All-Conference teams during his sophomore and junior years. Kenneth also played baseball for Union, setting the record for hits in a double-header baseball game. He was named to the All-Conference Baseball Team his junior and senior years.
After completing his degree in 1954, Kenneth was drafted by the Chicago Cubs as a talented center fielder before being called into the United States Army. During his military service from 1955-1957 he played baseball on highly competitive baseball teams at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Carson, Colorado. He received the U.S. Army Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge, the highest achievement of weapons qualification.
Kenneth received a Masters Degree from University of Memphis, and began a teaching career in 1957 at Selmer High School. He taught History, and was a successful head football coach. He went on to teach and coach at Ripley High School, where the school’s basketball court was named in his honor.
He married Inez Virginia Kirk on October 26, 1958. They had a life of love and devotion. Kenneth was a member of First Baptist Church Selmer since 1977, where he taught Sunday school and served as a deacon for over 50 years. He was a State Farm insurance agent for over 40 years, serving his community with genuine care.
Kenneth Hawkins lived a life of faith, integrity and devotion. He enjoyed spending time with buddies on the golf course, hunting with his boys and pouring so much love into his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Inez of Selmer, TN; his daughter Melinda Henry and husband Lee of Selmer, TN; his son Kenneth Bradford “Brad” Hawkins, Jr. and wife Cindy of Ramer, TN; four grandchildren : Laurie Montgomery and husband David, Kenneth Bradford “Ford” Hawkins, III, Bryce Hawkins and wife Caroline, and Audrey Hawkins; and one great-granddaughter, Isla Montgomery. He had many extended family members and countless friends. The family would also like to recognize Jerry Brown Smith, who was a beloved father figure and lifelong best friend to Kenneth. Their bond was one of deep friendship, unwavering loyalty, and mutual respect, and his presence was a treasured part of Kenneth’s life.
In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Ora Miller, and four sisters, Rebecca Holland, Dorothy Scott, Peggy Ryan, and Martha Lyn Britt.
Kenneth embodied a rare combination of humility and resolve, of faith tested and held firm. His dedication to country, profession, church, and family defined not just how he lived, but who he was. Those who were fortunate enough to know him carry forward a legacy of character that words can only begin to honor.
