Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1908-04-10
Thonas Madison Hawkins

inoHhS madison Hawkins
Thos- Nj. Hawkins, ST., whose i'll.
ness has been reported from time Il
time in this paper. died last SATURDAY
morning, about S o'clock. at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. A. NJ.
Willard, who had tenderly and de.
votedly cared for and nursed him
during his long confinement and i'll
ness of more than year. The burial
took place ON Sunday afternoon.
from the Baptist church, of which
deceaed was Jealous member, con-
Quoted by his former pastor, Rev. III.
Nj. Fugate, now of FarmVilIe, Vir-
ginia. The pail bearers were: Frank
Howard, w. X. Nermililon. Geo.
w. Lewis, III. w. Posbt, "A. G..
kiser andiJ. A Leslie. The inter
ment was in the new cemetery,
beside his wife, who preceded him to
the Better Land thirteen years ago.
A large crowd was present at the
church and also at the cemetery. TO
pay their last tribute to a worthy and
aged man who had moved in and
out among them for SO many years.
Thomas Madison Hawkins was born
In Halifax county, Virginia, July
8, 1876. lie came To Tazewell about
thirty-five years ago, where he lived
in or near this town the remainder of
his long life. He was mar ed toMiss
Elizabeth Bernard in 1876. This
sanity woman died honored and be-
loved by her children and her neigh
bors, in the year 1895. Two sons
and two daughters survive, Viz:Wm.
Hawkins, of Dublin; +. NJ. Hawk
ms, Jr., Mrs. A, NJ. Willard and
Mrs. John w. Mccall, living i'm this
town, except Mrs. Mccall, who re-
Gently moved To Graham. All the
children, any many grand chil6r rem
were present at the funeral and
burial services.
Mr.. Hawkins began lie as car
penter, and later in life was a con-
tractor on large scale. He was n
careful, trustworthy and skillful
workman. Some of the best dwelling
houses in this section stand as mon
uments TO his skill and faithfulnes.
In religion he was Baptist, in
politics Al Democrat, and in both re-
lations he was Jealous, unwaverinr
and uncompromiSing. If he had a
conspicuous fault i; was his intoler-
ance of opposition to and contradict
ton of his political or religious
views. His faith was born of intelIi-
gence and conviction, and when he
took stand he held it. His firm
ness and resoluteness was often mis-
taken for stubbornneSs - sometimes
for prejudice, by those who did not
know him well. Even his opponents
were forced To admire his firmncss.
On the other hand, he was tender
hearted, atfectionate and loyal. He
loved, and was proud of his family.
The fountain of his tears and the
depths of his affections were easily
touched. The recital of tender in
cident, story of suffering and sor-
row would cause the tears TO rain
down his face, the thrilling sermon
cause him 10 shout aloud in the
congregation of his brethren. His en-
thusiasm in whatever appealed to him
was almost boundleSS. He was de-
cidedly positive character. His seat,
in political or religious gatherings,
was always at the front. His mental
and PHYSICAL activity was remark
able. He was great reader, and
I'M Il
clear and decided on his beliefs. AS he
grew older there was the natural
fading and weakning of his eve
sight consequent upon his declining
years, but his mental vision was
clear TO the last. He was not afraid
10 die. When he took his ped
nearly a year ago he knew the sun
was setting. 1t was no reluctant foot
which he placed upon the ship whose
prov pointed to distant stars and
1he eternal shores. He said he was
ready and even anxious to join the
loved ones who were awaiting him
OF the other side.
Like the weary warrior who has
come TO the close of a hard fought
battle wraps his blanket about him
and falls into peaceful sleep, SO,
this old soldier, tired, worn and
wasted after the long and hard
fought battle of three score years and
len, wrapped the drapery of his
couch about him, and fell asleep rs
quietly and easily as does a tired
child i'll the arms of its mother. I'm
demeath him were 1.-THE everlasting
arms