Feb. 18, 1930-Oct. 25, 2013

 

E. Vincent (Hun) Hawkins, 83, of South Bend, formerly of Cassopolis, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2013 in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka, Ind.

Vincent was born Feb. 18, 1930 in Washington, D.C. to W. Glyn and Ida (Harris) Hawkins. He married Shirley Rita Flowers July 14, 1956 in Chicago. She survives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Evelyn “Minnie” Hawkins; three brothers, Wilbur “BuBu” Hawkins, Albert “Hawk” Hawkins, and Benjamin “Chico” Hawkins, and his life-long best friend Patrick Justbuddy. Melvin “Plugum” Hawkins is his sole surviving sibling.

Vincent received his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Indiana University and his bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame with honors; he was one of the first African Americans to attend and to graduate.

Vincent had many passions: education, life-long learning, family, catholicism, bid whist, story-telling (especially childhood stories), politics and making new friends. He taught for over 40 years in several school systems, retiring from Elkhart Community Schools in 1995, was a Cassopolis city councilman and a lifetime supporter of all things democratic.

Vincent was about to complete a study circle on race at Ivy Tech Community College at the time of his passing. Anyone who knew him would tell you that he would scale the highest mountain to support and encourage his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, students and basically anyone in need of education or conversation. Vincent was a totally irrepressible humanist.

Vincent will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Shirley (Flowers) Hawkins of South Bend; three daughters, Violet Hawkins, Ida Hawkins, and Carrie (Stephen) Smith, all of South Bend; two sons, Glen (Threasa) Hawkins of Kalamazoo, Patrick (Charmane) Hawkins of Lansing; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, with another grandchild due Nov. 29; one brother, Melvin (Connie) Hawkins of Washington, D.C.; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Family and friends will gather Thursday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. until time of the Funeral Mass at 11 in Saint Ann Catholic Church, 421 N. Broadway St., Cassopolis.  The funeral will be followed by a Repast.

The family prefers contributions be made in Vincent’s memory to the Head Start Program at Lafayette School, 245 N. Lombardy St., South Bend, IN 46619.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or message online: wagnercares.com.