Greene "Gene" Berry Hawks

Greene Berry Hawks 1937 – 2018 On November 3, 1937, Greene Berry Hawks was born to Hobart Cardwell and Maggie Jean Bobbitt Hawks in a beautiful old home nestled in a cove of the Appalachian Mountains in Lambsburg, VA. Green lost his father to cancer at a very early age. Maggie moved with her son to Mt. Airy, NC, to be closer to her family and later gave Greene a stepfather and five brothers and sisters; Tony (Frankie) D’Amico, Angelina (Clyde) Bowman, Bruce (Brenda) D’Amico, Phillip (Juanita) D’Amico, and Bonnie (Irby) Payne. Greene always enjoyed singing. During his high school years, Andy Griffith, a native of Mt. Airy, served as a school music teacher and chorus director for Greene’s chorus. After joining the U. S. Navy at age 17, Greene was chosen to sing with the Navy Blue Jacket Choir, which performed at the Capitol and other venues. In later years, he sang with his son, Clay, in the Pensacola Oratorio Society. Greene trained with the Navy to be a Meteorologist. His first duty station in his career was at Corry Field in Pensacola. He spent many tours aboard Navy Carriers and time in Alaska, Newfoundland, San Diego, Norfolk and school tours at Great Lakes. He came back to Saufley Field to complete his final tour and begin retirement after 22 years of service. He became active in the Masonic Lodge and in the Shrine Antique Car Unit with his “58 Lincoln Continental convertible (supposedly one of 4 identical ones purchased by Elvis Presley). He was an active member of the Local and National Retired Navy Meteorologist. After retiring from the Navy, he began a new career studying Special Education and Administration at UWF. He became an Administrative Dean at ESEAL for a rewarding second career spanning over 18 years. After this retirement, he devoted his time to family, growing his prize daylilies and camellias and being actively involved in the Garden Club and Camellia and Daylily Clubs. Greene is preceded in death by his son, Dempsey Clayton. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Marion Hawks, daughter-in-law, Malinda (grandsons, Joshua (Kate) and Jonathan), son, Andrew David and wife, Mary (grandson, Jeremy and granddaughter, Whitney). Greene passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2018. The Hawks family would like to express their sincere thanks to his wonderful caretakers and support group at Homestead Village and Covenant Hospice, who helped so much in the last months of his life. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, August 10, 2018, at 9:00 AM, at First United Methodist Church of Pensacola. A Committal Service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, at 11:00 AM. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Parkway, has been entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Greene "Gene" Berry Hawks

November 3, 1937 - August 5, 2018